Rüscher warns: social reduction endangers families with disabled children!

Rüscher warns: social reduction endangers families with disabled children!

In the current interview, the Health Councilor Martina Rüscher comments on the planned savings in the social sector, which should be between 10 and 15 million euros in the solidarity pot. These cuts affect decisive areas such as care, child and youth welfare, disabled people and social assistance. Rüscher emphasizes that these savings should not be at the expense of those affected, but performance cuts have already become noticeable, which particularly affects families of disabled children.

The Rüscher sees an urgent need to rethink the existing family relief models, since these often do not work in practice. In order to meet the requirements and the need for a comprehensive reform, she announced that a comprehensive structure process should clarify by the end of the year. Here, the social network should be rethinked together with the municipalities and providers and the services are controlled more specifically.

Reforms in the social infrastructure

A central goal of these reforms is the better support of caring relatives. Rüscher plans to introduce new nursing homes, short -term care measures and the possible employment of caring for family members. In the health sector, services should also be bundled at individual hospital locations in order to improve quality and relieve the staff due to the existing shortage of skilled workers.

For the population, Rüscher gives the message that the last rescue umbrella will not be deleted and asks for trust in future measures. The Rüscher would like to make sure that despite the savings, the basic needs of the citizens will continue to be covered.

The European context

The social dimension in the European Union has grown in recent years, although the skills in the social field are very limited. Nation states usually decide on central aspects such as wage regulations, collective negotiations and pension systems. However, the EU has developed instruments and funds to support a coordinated social policy and to promote the exchange of proven procedures in poverty control and in social integration. At the same time, EU regulations provide rules on working conditions, discrimination at work and for the safety and health of employees.

In November 2017, the European pillar of social rights was proclaimed, which secured new rights for citizens and is based on 20 basic principles in the areas of equal opportunities, fair working conditions and sustainable social protection. These initiatives reflect the desire to maintain social justice and a strong social network even in times of budget cuts. The EU Parliament campaigned early on for a more active social policy, supported by proposals from the Commission to advance EU social policy.

The announcements of Rüscher and the framework conditions of social politics in Europe illustrate the serious need for reforms in order to meet the needs of the population sustainably.

In summary, it can be said that responsibility for social issues lies at both national and European level, the challenges that society faces a common action. The current situation offers both opportunities and responsibilities for everyone involved.

For further information on the topics of social protection and European social policy, read here: Vol.at and Europarl.eu.