Much remains must be done to have a social welfare state
Statement by AKEL MP Andros Kafkalias and Chairman of the Parliamentary Labour, Welfare and Social Insurance Committee
27 September 2022
We had a meeting today with the Deputy Minister of Social Welfare on a number of issues concerning the Deputy Ministry of Social Welfare.
I point out the admission on the part of the government, via the Deputy Minister, that we are not where we would like to be. That is a good admission, but it is crucial that we do what we have to do as a state to improve the welfare system in order to create a social welfare state that is responsive to society’s needs.
There are numerous open questions that were raised today, for which solutions and answers are expected:
- The delays in the processing of applications and appeals for the granting of the Minimum Guaranteed Income (MGI) and the benefit for pensioners on low pensions.
- No substantial progress has been made on the issue of approving separate legislation for people with disabilities. New pledges were made today and timetables were renewed.
- The need to adjust the amount of the allowances paid through the MGI. I don’t need to say much on this matter, one only needs to compare the rent allowance given for rents with the actual rent prices.
- Arrangements should be made with regards pensioners who lost their allowance for low pensions in 2014 because they did not apply, so that they can be given that right, once again, to apply.
All of the above remain open issues which we as the Labour Committee will return to in the very near future to see whether progress is indeed being recorded.
