According to Article 38 of the Constitution, “everyone has the right to social security”. Social welfare payments are described by laws On Social Benefits (2006), On Social Insurance (1997), On Protection of Public Health (1997), On Medical Insurance (1999), On Labour Pensions (2006), On Social Services (2011), On Unemployment Insurance (2017), On the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (2018), On Employment (2018), et cetera.
In practice, The Ministry of Labour and Social Protection of the Population is in charge of regulating the labour markets and ensuring social protection of the population. Regulation of activities in social insurance and provision of pensions to citizens falls under the State Social Protection Fund.
The following public legal entities under the Ministry of Labour and Social Protection of Population were established according to the Presidential Decree “On Additional Measures to Improve Governance in the Field of Social Protection” (2019):
- The State Employment Agency (based on the State Employment Service) conducts activities related to the organisation of active employment measures, management of unemployment insurance funds, standards for social protection of job seekers and the unemployed, as well as labour market analysis
- The State Social Protection Fund (based on the State Social Protection Fund) regulates activities in the sector of social insurance and provision of pensions to citizens;
- The State Agency for Medical-Social Expertise and Rehabilitation (based on the State Medical-Social Expertise and Rehabilitation Service); operates in disability identification and rehabilitation of persons with disabilities.
- The Social Services Agency provides social services to persons (families) in need of social services, improving their social protection and welfare, and implementing state policy and regulation on adoption.
According to the Presidential Decree On Additional Measures to Ensure the Self-employment of the Population (2016), a self-employment programme is implemented. Within the framework of this programme, low-income families are provided with the state’s support to establish or develop the individual households by providing families directly with cattle, material and other property (not cash). In addition, the family is provided with production or service equipment under the business plan provided.
These general social security measures are relevant for culture, and the mentioned schemes would apply to those working in the cultural sector, including self-employed artists. The Law on Culture (2012) also provides social security measures for cultural workers. Social protection of the subjects of cultural activity included in the main directions of state policy and organisation of incentives for cultural workers and creative people for services and contributions to the development of culture are among the duties of the state. It applies to creative workers and includes provisions to improve the working conditions of artists and scientists, e.g. artists and sculptors receive working spaces under favourable conditions (e.g. low rents). Salaries for cultural institutions with national status are well above those that do not enjoy this status. Workers who were actively involved in the country’s cultural development, and have long service, may receive special pensions after retirement. Creative persons who win festivals and competitions are awarded honorary titles, scholarships, orders and medals.
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