We, the members of the Macedonian Platform against Poverty and our friendly organizations, express our concern about the delayed passing of the Law on Social Security and the amendment to the Law on Protection of Children and we demand urgent incorporation thereof in the agenda of the Parliament.
Given the alarming situation with poverty in the country, it is necessary for the new solutions that represent an attempt for substantial reform of the social security system as well as the way social security services are provided to be implemented immediately. Also, we want to point out that these proposals address our remarks that are in regard to the systemic drawbacks and insufficient social security capacities at an institutional level, which are also noted in international reports pertaining to this area.
In recent years, we have been constantly appealing that changes are required so new services would be provided, that collaboration between social security, education and health sectors is necessary, that the functioning of the Social Security Centers needs improvement, as well as that a minimum adequate income that will replace the existing monetary assistance, which doesn’t yield the desired results, needs to be introduced. Also, we have used every opportunity to reiterate that state institutions’ capacity to implement the national social security policy is insufficient, while the key issue is that social workers are mainly dealing with administrative requests and haven’t got the time as well as attention to support those who need social security services.
We use this opportunity to invoke the European Commission’s Country Report for Macedonia for 2018, chapter 23 – Judiciary and fundamental rights, which notes certain conditions in regard to the protection of the rights of the child. It says “There has been no follow-up to the Action Plan for Children which expired in 2015. Roma children and children with disabilities still suffer from stigma, discrimination and segregation, especially in education and other service sectors. Although some progress has been made in recent years, there is limited coordination in preventing and responding to violence against children. There is no unified data collection and monitoring system (on most aspects related to the situation of children). There is also very little state capacity to provide support, protection and care to children. Child protection services are fragmented and an integrated child protection system that places the child at the centre of the system is urgently needed. Measures and resources for preventing violence and bullying in schools are still insufficient.”
This country, which identifies itself as a social country and intends to join the EU, must not procrastinate the amending of the two crucial pieces of legislation connected directly with the area of human rights protection in the structure of the EU acquis.
It is of utmost importance to open public debate and discussion on the benefits of the laws as well as to urgently pass the laws so the social reforms could be implemented as soon as possible.
Therefore, today, on the World Day of Social Justice, we demand and expect from the MPs to prioritize them and to commit to fulfill citizens’ social security needs.
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20 February 2019