Reform Party outmaneuvered in alimony fund bill
The Social Democrats have won the backing of the two opposition parties, pushing through a bill, which will create a state alimony fund, despite the PM's party rejecting the idea.
The fund would guarantee the on-time monthly payment of child support, even if the other parent fails to pay up, Delfi reported. Currently parents not raising their child have to pay at least half the minimum salary each month to the person raising the child. That is around 195 euros per month.
“The child-raising parent can turn to the courts to receive alimony, but hearings can draw out. Even a court ruling will not guarantee that the money is paid. But a child has the right to receive a monthly remittance,” said SDE's MP Heljo Pikhof, who is the head of the Social Affairs Committee.
IRL's Margus Tsahkna said that every fourth child is raised by a single parent, adding that in many cases that parent has to make do without alimony. If the bill passes, such parents would receive money from the fund and the state would deal with the deadbeat parents itself.
The Reform Party has been fighting the idea, saying the cost of the fund is too big. The party also said the state should not take on private loans of its citizens.
Parliament will vote on the bill on Tuesday and if it passes, the Cabinet will have to decide exactly how the fund will work. If passed, the fund will be opened on January 1, 2016.
Editor: J.M. Laats