site.btaBulgaria, Estonia, Austria Sign Gender Equality Declaration

Tallinn, July 20 (BTA) - Labour and Social Policy Minister Bisser Petkov participated in an informal meeting of the EU's employment, social policy and health ministers in the Estonian capital on Wednesday.

The Trio Presidency - Estonia, Bulgaria and Austria - signed a joint declaration on gender equality which highlights the need to find legal and political mechanisms to guarantee equal opportunity to men and women in all areas of public life. The declaration sets forth the three countries' priorities and commitments during their stint at the EU Presidency between July 2017 and December 2018.

The forum focused on work-life balance, including new forms of work, different family types and men's participation in sharing care responsibilities.

Petkov said Bulgaria's labour legislation provides various opportunities for balancing work and life and sharing care responsibilities in the family. He singled out various types of leave and benefits for mothers, fathers and carers for ill relatives. Such periods of care for children or ill family members are recognized as length of service. In addition, there is the option of a flexible schedule.

The latest amendments to labour and social insurance legislation expanded the circle of people entitled to leave or benefits for pregnancy, birth and care for a child, said Petkov. The law aims to give more rights to the persons who actually care for the children.

The Labour and Social Policy Minister stressed that flexible hours are a proven method of ensuring a work-life balance. Contracts for remote and work-from-home jobs can be particularly effective, provided that the employees' rights are properly protected, especially the need of a regular decent income.

Petkov voiced Bulgaria's principled support for steps towards gender equality in Europe. It is of key importance in the context of the concerted effort to modernize the European social model and achieve the Europe 2020 targets, said Petkov. Bulgaria sets a priority on the right to work, equal access to jobs and women's empowerment in the changing world of employment.