Voluntary work isn’t enough – the government must review the social policies it is implementing
Statements by the General Secretary of AKEL A.Kyprianou after visiting the People’s Social Solidarity Network
AKEL C.C. Press Office, 18th December 2020, Nicosia
Cypriot society, as well as the whole world too, is going through very difficult times with the deterioration that has occurred after the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic. For that reason governments need to be much more decisive in providing support to those groups of the population and citizens, who are going through very difficult times. Voluntary initiative is very important and I would like to congratulate the Social Solidarity Network for the fact that it has undertaken the initiative to provide support to approximately 900 families across Cyprus, that’s to say around 7,000 people.
However, this voluntary work is not enough. The state must pay particular attention to reviewing the social policies it is implementing, so as to ensure that none of our compatriots, especially during these days of affection, Christmas and New Year, will be deprived of essential items. Let me just say that unfortunately, according to European statistics, we have around 10% of our compatriots who are deprived of essential items. Unfortunately, we are fifth from the bottom of the table across the EU in these indicators.
AKEL, as an indication of our appreciation for the work carried out by the Solidarity Network, want to make a symbolic contribution of 500 Euros, telling them that we really appreciate all the work they are doing. We call on them to continue and together of course to demand from the government that it supports our compatriots in need.
