We continue unabated to work in the interests of citizens and with particular focus on vulnerable social categories. Taking care of these people is our primary responsibility. We will implement specific projects with specific deadlines. And because we strongly believe that citizens recognize the difference, said Minister of Labor and Social Policy Dime Spasov at the press conference.
Below follows, the integral text from the press conference of Dime Spasov.
Caring for socially vulnerable groups is one of our priorities. Support for this category of citizens is aimed at improving the quality of life and their involvement in initiatives for social inclusion and social protection.
VMRO – DPMNE is entirely dedicated to the realization of strategic goals for dignified life for all citizens of the Republic of Macedonia and it is predicted in our program:
In the next term, Government led by VMRO – DPMNE will increase welfare by 5 % annually, with payment for June each year. It is the growth of welfare of 21.5 %. The policy of the planned increase in welfare is possible if does not happen external crisis, which would negatively affect the economic and financial situation in the country.
VMRO – DPMNE in the period from 2006 to 2014, increased the welfare by average of 47 %. Hereby we proved that VMRO – DPMNE care for the most vulnerable social categories.
In the next term, government led by VMRO – DPMNE will increase permanent financial assistance by 5 % annually, with payment by June each year. It is a permanent increase in total financial assistance of 21.5 %.
We anticipate increase in special allowance for financially insecure parents of children with disabilities by 25 %.
Special allowance is provided for child who has a physical or mental development (children with disability, mental disability, severe chronic disease, impaired vision, hearing, or speech). The amount of the special allowance for 2013 increased by 30%, while the amount of the special allowance for single parent who has child with special needs, i.e. physical or mental development is increased by 50 %.
In the next period VMRO- DPMNE will increase the amount of special allowance for recipients who come from financially insecure families and who have child with physical or mental development by 25 %.
VMRO – DPMNE continually cares about raising the number of foster families caring for orphans, children without parental care, children with disabilities and children with educational and social problems. In this direction, we will increase compensation by 25 % in the next period.
The government of VMRO – DPMNE will continue to care for children with disabilities. We will continue to increase and introduce new rights for vulnerable populations. In the coming period, we will introduce special allowance for all children with Down syndrome. With the introduction of this law, it will significantly help to all parents of children with Down syndrome.
For VMRO – DPMNE of great importance is the quality of life and normal development of children whose families are exposed at social risk. For this purpose, we will provide free training in multiple disciplines.
“Free leisure and recreation for children from families exposed at social risk”. Our priority is equal opportunities for all citizens. We will provide equal access to socially vulnerable categories of citizens and with the continuation of this project, we want to achieve better socialization, companionship and proper growth and development of children from families at social risk. The project will continue to be implemented in the next four years so that annually 2,000 children will get free summer vacation, and 1,000 kids free winter break, which is 3,000 children per year.
“Free rehabilitation and recreation for children with disabilities in social care facility and rehabilitation of children and adolescents from 6 to 26 years and adults with physical disabilities.” The government led by VMRO – DPMNE will provide free rehabilitation and recreation for children with disabilities, children with cerebral palsy, children with disabilities (intellectual disability), and physical disabilities, recipients of special allowance, children from foster families and children who attend care centers for children with special needs. Within the project, these children will enable range of activities that will affect the improvement of their skills and abilities. Annually be will cover up to 1000 children and adolescents.
“Exemption from fee for families receiving social welfare.” This project involves exemption fee for recipients of social assistance for each family. We will make legal changes according to which these families exposed at social risk will be free of charge, which will improve their lives.
“Protection from energy poverty.” Provision of assistance in using electricity and other fuels for vulnerable groups will continue as measure for protection against energy poverty. Under the current subsidy model for paying monthly electricity bill, we will pay 700 denars to customers who qualify for this assistance. In the coming period we will increase subsidies for protecting against energy poverty and in 2015 it will be 800 per month, while in 2016 will be to 900 per month, and in 2017 and 2018 1000 per month.
This is only small part of the projects related to the field of social welfare for citizens. We will continue unabated to work in the interests of citizens and with particular focus on vulnerable social categories. Taking care of these people is our primary responsibility. We will implement specific projects with specific deadlines. As we strongly believe that citizens can recognize the difference.
