Government Under Scrutiny Over Social Exclusions
The House Labor Committee has renewed its call for a comprehensive revision of the child benefit legislation, urging both the government and the Sub-Ministry of Welfare to reform the existing framework. This initiative follows concerns voiced by the Child Rights Protection Inspector, who highlighted key flaws in the current system. Specifically, the residency requirement confined to designated zones in the Republic of Cyprus is effectively excluding many families from receiving critical social benefits.
Inadequate Policies Under Fire
Committee Chair and AKEL MP Andreas Kavkaliás criticized the prevailing legal structure, asserting that it fosters social exclusion by denying families access to benefits closely tied to child welfare—ranging from tuition support to various service discounts. According to Kavkaliás, social policies should focus on the needs of children rather than penalizing families based on the duration of their residence in the country.
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Pressure Mounts For Immediate Legislative Amendments
In a decisive move, members of the committee have pressed the government for swift and meaningful legislative changes. Lawmakers have also signaled their readiness to submit a formal legislative proposal should there be an inadequate official response.
Political Divides Emerge
Notably, dissent within the political spectrum has surfaced. ELAM MP Sotiris Ioannou argued that the current benefits system unfairly favors non-nationals such as foreigners and Turkish-Cypriots, cautioning that this approach could inflate costs and ultimately diminish the benefits available for Cypriot citizens. In response, his party is preparing to file a proposal that would limit benefits exclusively to Cypriot nationals.
Addressing Injustices For Returning Cypriots
Adding to the debate, MP Andreas Apostolou condemned what he described as a severe injustice against Cypriots repatriating from non-European nations. Apostolou has secured a meeting with officials from the benefit service and has committed to presenting a legislative proposal by October. His initiative aims to ensure that returning Cypriot families receive child benefit payments from the very first day of their arrival.
