17 February  2022 – A draft law to this effect was passed by Parliament at first reading. The document provides for amendments to the Labour Code, which is to be supplemented with a new article: “in order to ensure the reconciliation of work and family life, the employer may offer childcare services to his employees for children aged 0-3 years, according to the regulatory framework approved by the Government”.

At the same time, it is proposed that the Education Code should specify that “childcare services for children aged 0-3 years may be provided by employers for the benefit of their employees at establishment level, with all related expenses being borne by the establishment’s own means, in accordance with the regulatory framework approved by the Government”.

The subject of the need to create early education centres for employees’ children was discussed between the authorities and the business community at the Economic Council to the Prime Minister in 2020. During the discussions, it was mentioned that opening children’s centres in companies would encourage women to return to work before the end of their maternity leave. The Secretariat of the Economic Council actively participated in finalising and promoting the draft law.

Once the draft law has passed its second reading, the Government will, within 6 months from the date of entry into force of this law, bring the relevant legislation into line with the new amendments and adopt legislation to implement the law.

The Economic Council to  the Prime Minister will ensure the discussion of all proposals in this regard between the business community and state institutions, so that all interventions in the normative acts will help the implementation of the new provisions.

The Secretariat of the Economic Council to the Prime Minister is supported by the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, funded by the UK Government’s Good Governance Fund.