The amendment to the Act on Employment Services, which includes the intention to work instead of benefits, deprives according to Opposition MP Petr Pollak (Slovakia, for people, Ú) Thousands of the poorest people for benefits in material need. The amendment to the Act came into effect from Monday, while the Minister of Labor, Social Affairs and Family Erik Tomáš (voice-SD) recalled that people who refuse a suitable job offer from the Labor Office will lose their benefit in material need or will be shortened.
“Instead of handing the government to people, it also takes them the last thing they have – less than 90 euros per month. This is the last rescue network for the poorest. Family spending is growing for government consolidation, food and energy are getting more expensive and the government saves at those who have the least,” He said Pollak.
According to him, the amendment is directly directed against the Roma community, strengthening the stereotypes that the Roma are lazy and do not want to work. He stressed that the problem is not Roma, but a government that has long been failing to fight discrimination or promoting employment, education and building real job opportunities in regions where there is the least job.
As a result of the unreasonable consolidation, companies are leaving or failing and in some districts in Slovakia, so only a few vacancies remain. In areas where there are job offers, the Roma, according to the opposition MP, often encounter discrimination or rejection by employers.
“The dose removal will not have any positive effect on employment. On the contrary, it will cause huge damage – deepens poverty, worsens human health and threatens thousands of children. It is shocking that this step is also supported by the Government Plenipotentiary for Roma Communities, which should stand on the side of people, not on the side of cynical policy, ”added Pollak.
