Six new Flash Reports prepared by the European Social Policy Network (ESPN) are now available and provide information on recent social policy developments in Estonia, Malta, Romania, Slovenia and Spain.

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Estonia’s energy poverty support measures

Energy poverty became a serious issue in 2021. The Estonian government took several temporary measures to minimise the impact of energy price increases on energy poverty. However, energy costs are predicted to remain high and further measures are planned for the upcoming heating period.

Malta: Widened access and scope of in vitro fertilisation laws, amid controversy

In vitro fertilisation services have been offered free of charge since 2013. Legislative amendments in 2018 extended these services to same-sex couples and single women, and introduced embryo freezing. On 9 May 2022, a Bill was tabled in Parliament which (along with Protocols) allows for pre-implantation genetic testing (PGT-M) for nine genetic diseases. Several civil society groups took a strong stand against PGT-M. Government and opposition reached agreement on the Bill which will now pass into law.

Romania launches a system of service vouchers to bring domestic workers into the formal economy

With a significant informal economy dominated by agricultural and domestic workers, Romania adopted a law in April 2022 to launch a ticket payment system (service vouchers) to tax the income of domestic workers and increase their social protection. The law puts in place incentives for both workers and clients. The effectiveness of the scheme will depend on the adequacy and fine-tuning of its incentive structure and on the implementation procedures. It will be important to avoid bureaucratic burden for workers and clients.

New initiatives regarding the minimum wage in Romania

The Romanian Government has recently adopted a tax break for low-paid employees, alongside special regulations for wages in agriculture. While these measures aim to increase workers’ welfare and to compensate for the negative effects of the worsening economic situation, they are also a response to employers’ demands to secure work and economic productivity.

Slovenia is fighting energy poverty

Slovenia has addressed growing social hardship due to the impact of high energy prices. The most vulnerable people received a solidarity energy bonus of €150 in mid-April 2022. Households also received support: they were exempted from paying network charges for electricity for three months (February-April 2022). Finally, excise duties on electricity and energy products were reduced considerably between February and July 2022. New measures were announced on 14 July 2022.

Reforms to Spain’s Minimum Living Income scheme improve coverage and protection

The Spanish Parliament passed the 19/2021 Act on Minimum Living Income (Ingreso Mínimo Vital - MLI) in December 2021. This Act reformed the MLI scheme, a national non-contributory, means-tested social assistance benefit that was introduced in June 2020 as a nationwide basic safety net. The scheme also provides for a children’s supplement to reduce child poverty. According to recently published figures, the changes introduced by the new Act have improved coverage, although some problems persist.