The social agenda of the government for 2022 is reflected in an article in the newspaper “Parapolitika” by the Minister of State George Gerapetritis. Underlining the “big bet” that remains, as he notes, “the consolidation of social policies that will alleviate social inequalities and put on an equal footing all citizens, especially the most vulnerable”, heralds the government’s three major reforms for the first next year: primary health care reform, higher education reform and new climate law.
Analytically, starting from the report of the passing year, “2021 closes with mixed performances, not only for Greece, but also for the whole world”, writes the Minister of State and explains: “On the one hand, the ongoing pandemic which caused significant upheaval in society and the economy and, above all, led to the loss of our fellow human beings. On the other hand, the positive prospects for the Greek economy and society, as reflected in the relevant indicators and, mainly, the significant reduction in unemployment, primarily thanks to the support given to work and the market during the pandemic.
He cites some relevant social and economic indicators: “Unemployment has shrunk to a record low over the last decade with a corresponding increase in new jobs, in the third quarter of 2021 GDP grew by 13.4%, while exports, industrial production, construction activity and private deposits are constantly increasing, non-performing loans are declining and real disposable income is increasing, based on objective data, from 365 to 1,615 euros, due to the significant reduction in taxes and insurance contributions.
And, moving on to next year’s agenda, “for 2022 the big bet remains the consolidation of social policies that will alleviate social inequalities and put all citizens, especially the most vulnerable, on an equal footing. In this context, a series of national plans have been activated or will be activated in 2022, which aim with concrete and quantified actions to improve social cohesion and strengthen substantial equality “, says G. Gerapetritis, who specializes immediately after:
“This is a new model for the implementation of horizontal public policies, which is not limited to point and patchwork interventions but is based on a structured and long-term strategic development plan for individual sectors of society. These are the National Action Plan for the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, the National Action Plan for Youth, the National Action Plan for the Rights of the Child, the National Strategy for Equality of LGBTQI +, the National Action Plan for Equality of Children gender, the national action plan for the prevention and treatment of child sexual abuse and the national public health program Spyros Doxiadis “.
However, the Minister of State continues in his article, “to these social programs, are added three major reforms that are to come to the Parliament for a vote in the first half of 2022 and touch on the fundamental rights of health, education and the environment. They relate to the reform of primary health care, the reform of higher education and the new climate law. “Reforms, as well as the overall upgrading of public administration, are being supported by modern digital governance.”
In conclusion, “these social policies are inclusive. They strive to give equal access to the economic, social and political life of the country to categories of citizens who are vulnerable or under-represented, by removing obstacles and introducing relatively positive measures. Equal access everywhere for all without exclusions and with a sense of care for every citizen who needs it. “This synthetic grid of social policies, combined with prudent and consistent fiscal policy, create a sustainable optimism for 2022, that our country will walk the path of progress, leaving a great legacy of a new modern welfare state in the service of every citizen.” , G. Gerapetritis points out in closing.
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