State defends offset measures

LABOUR Minister Sotiroulla Charalambous yesterday defended the approval of the €23.6 million package of extra benefits to offset the 5.0 per cent VAT hike on food and medicine in the face of criticism from EDEK party leader, Yiannakis Omirou.

“Those who say we’re giving a small amount ought to tell us where to get [the rest] from,” said Charalambous. “There shouldn’t be these efforts made to undermine the measures,” she added.

The €23.6 million package was approved on Thursday by the Cabinet and will include pensioners, the disabled and low earners. The measures will help around 160,000 people.

Omirou described the measures as “a trick and a stunt,” provoking Charalambous to reply: “I’m really sorry but what trick, what stunt?”

“A person who is unemployed long-term will not get just €150 he will get support according to the composition of his family,” said Charalambous adding that if they are single with an income on or below the poverty line they will get €200. However if they have a wife and children they will receive a lot more.

According to Charalambous, pensioners will be helped in two ways. The Easter allowance will be increased from €300 to €350, and those who already receive the allowance will continue to do so. “The rest, including the disabled, will get this support in an April cheque and for those who are unemployed long-term along with low earners there will be more measures that will be announced in the next few days,” said Charalambous.

Ruling AKEL, applauded the decision to aid “the vulnerable sections of the population,” saying that it showed the “social sensitivity” of the government. Government Spokesman Stefanos Stefanou reassured that the strengthening and upgrading of the state’s social policy along with the reorganisation of the economy were key priorities of the government.

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