Chega placed new conditions to enable the creation of the Single Social Benefit, one of the social reforms that the government wants to approve in Parliament. The party led by André Ventura demands changes in immigrants’ access to social support and in the way in which funds currently associated with the Social Insertion Income are redistributed.
According to , a website specializing in economics, André Ventura stated this Friday, at a press conference at the party’s headquarters in Lisbon, that he will not just accept “cosmetic changes” in the Government’s proposal. The leader of Chega presented two demands that, according to him, could lead the party to review its initial intention to vote against the measure.
Five years of discounts for immigrants
The first condition presented by André Ventura requires that immigrants have a minimum period of five years of contributions before they can access Social Security subsidies. The leader of Chega argued that anyone arriving in Portugal must pay during this period before being able to receive social support. The proposal is presented by the party as a way of limiting immediate access to public benefits.
The Single Social Benefit aims to bring together various non-contributory social supports into a single mechanism. According to the Government, beneficiaries will be over 18 years of age residing in the national territory, including national, European and third country citizens with a residence permit for more than a year, as well as refugees.
Redistribute RSI funds
Chega’s second requirement is linked to the Social Insertion Income. André Ventura defends a redistribution of the amount currently invested in this support, channeling part of the funds to other areas that he considers to be priorities.
Among the examples presented are families with children with special needs, people with disability certificates above 60% and birth support measures.
The leader of Chega pointed to the case of the Azores as a model to follow, stating that, in the region, it was possible to reduce minimum income by 40% and redirect funds to fishermen, the social sector and people who, from the party’s perspective, had more effective needs.
Ventura admits changing voting sense
At the beginning of the week, André Ventura had announced that Chega would vote against the proposal to create the Single Social Benefit. This Friday, however, opened the door to a change of position if the Government accepts the conditions presented. According to ECO, Ventura stated that, if the Government does not remove the possibility of immigrants receiving support without first deducting it, Chega will not be available to make the law viable.
The party estimates that between 25% and 30% of immigrants receive some type of social benefit, including allowances and support such as Bolsa Família. This estimate was presented by André Ventura during the press conference.
Proposal go to debate no Parliament
The plenary discussion of the proposed law to create the Single Benefit is scheduled for June 12th. The measure is part of the reform of non-contributory social support and has been presented by the government as a way of simplifying the system.
The PSU should add 13 social benefits, including the Social Insertion Income and the social unemployment benefit. The announced objective is to reduce bureaucracy, harmonize criteria and concentrate different supports in a single mechanism.
The proposal also has an impact on access rules. According to Diário de Notícias, the new regime tightens criteria related to the assets, income and employment status of beneficiaries, especially in support with greater financial weight, such as the RSI, the social old-age pension and the social unemployment benefit.
Social support becomes a central political theme
Chega’s position adds pressure to the legislative process. The creation of the Single Social Benefit requires parliamentary approval and comes in a context of greater debate on immigration, social support, the fight against poverty and the sustainability of the system.
For the Government, the new provision should simplify citizens’ relationship with Social Security and make support more effective. For Chega, the viability of the measure depends on tighter limits on access by immigrants and a redistribution of RSI funds.
The final decision will now depend on political negotiations and how the Government responds to the demands presented. Until then, the Single Social Benefit remains at the center of a parliamentary dispute that should mark the social debate in the coming weeks.
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