The Human Rights Action (HRA) is protesting the non-acceptance of the Social Democrats' (SD) proposed amendments to the 2025 Budget Law, which related to increasing material benefits for the most vulnerable categories of immigrants and free transportation and snacks for children from socially vulnerable families, the non-governmental organization (NGO) announced today.
"Given that the planned social benefits for a year are not enough to cover the amount of the union consumer baskets for even two months, we urge that the amounts be increased so that they can satisfy the basic living needs of fellow citizens threatened by poverty, especially children. This was recommended to Montenegro by the United Nations Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights back in 2014. The SD amendments were not accepted without explanation, although the increase in the amount of social assistance could be financed by reducing expenses for official travel, representation and consulting services, which would not lead to an increase in budget expenditures," the statement emphasizes.
HRA added that the total increase in the budget for material security of families (MOP) for 2025 of only 500.000 euros represents an increase of only five percent compared to 2024, which, according to HRA, is insufficient to significantly improve the position of the most vulnerable categories of the population.
"Although the MOP is expected to be adjusted on a semi-annual basis, according to trends from the last decade and the current dynamics of allocations, the potential increase will amount to only 10 to 15 euros per month per family. Given the inflation of 3,3% in 2024 and the continuous increase in the cost of living, the current social benefits of a total of 220,45 euros for a family of four (160,45 euros MOP and 60 euros of allowance for two children, according to the situation in January 2025) are not nearly enough for basic living expenses. The situation is further aggravated by the fact that the union consumer basket in the fourth quarter of 2024 amounted to as much as 1970 euros, which means that the current social benefits represent only a tenth (11,2%) of the amount needed for a dignified life. In other words, the total planned social benefits on an annual basis are not enough to cover the costs of the union consumer baskets for even two months," the statement reads.
HRA states that they are once again appealing for the amounts of social (material) benefits to be increased so that they can meet basic living needs, as well as for social benefits to be carefully targeted to the most vulnerable population.
"We recall that in 2014, the UN Committee recommended to Montenegro that:
- establish a system for collecting statistical data on the implementation of economic, social and cultural rights
- its national plans, programs and strategies regarding the enjoyment of human rights immediately provide for mechanisms for monitoring and evaluating the success of their implementation with the aim of ensuring that interim results are available at any stage of their implementation;
• increase the amount of social benefits to ensure an adequate standard of living for individuals and families, especially for the unemployed, the elderly and people with disabilities;
- increase budget allocations for the health system and take effective measures against corruption in healthcare;
- establishes shelters for the homeless and
- appropriate care for persons who, due to a lack of appropriate accommodation, continue to reside in the psychiatric hospital in Dobrota even though their health condition allows them to leave the hospital (so-called social patients).
HRA stated that unfortunately, none of these recommendations have been fulfilled to date.
"We expect the Minister of Social Welfare, Family Care and Demography, Damir Gutić, to review the recommendations of the UN Committee, provide the necessary data and, based on them, take measures to ensure an adequate standard of living for the most vulnerable," HRA said.
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