The Hungarian Democratic Union of Romania (UDMR) MPs are initiating in the Chamber of Deputies the elimination of the „sickness tax,” Csep Eva Andrea announced on Wednesday.

„The UDMR is categorically opposed to the imposition of any other additional tax. It is unacceptable that mothers caring for sick children, pregnant women at maternal risk or those on maternity leave, as well as those suffering from chronic diseases or cancer should be punished. Sick people are in a vulnerable situation and must receive maximum care, attention and adequate treatment (…),” said Csep Eva Andrea, according to a press release.

She brings to mind that last December, the governing coalition introduced an emergency law introducing the payment of an additional 10% tax on health insurance (CASS) by any person on sick leave as of 1 January 2024.

According to UDMR, this is an additional tax compared to the previous contributions, because until now the amounts received during sick leave were taxed with 25% social insurance contributions (CAS) and 10% income tax, and now 10% health insurance contribution is added.

Csep Eva Andrea mentioned that data from the National Institute of Statistics (INS) published in February show that there have been significant price increases. Thus, food prices increased 5.64%, non-food prices 7.36% and services prices went up 10.91%.

„The introduction of the additional tax on sick leave, in the current economic context, means that the state is still imposing a financial burden on citizens who are already in a difficult financial situation, as the prices of food and services continue to rise,” explained the UDMR MP.

AGERPRES