A request to convene a joint meeting of the Special Permanent Monitoring Committee of the Social Security System and the Sub-Committee on Disability Issues, of the Special Standing Committee on Equality, Youth and Human Rights was filed by SYRIZA MPs in order to inform its members about the major issue of finding a solution to address the enormous livelihood need of thousands of children’s families PWDs in our country and ensuring their decent living.

As stated in the MPs’ request, the majority of PWD families face survival problems, as it is impossible for both parents to work, due to the increased need to care for their children. At the same time, the support allowance of another person, which they receive does not correspond to the actual expenses. According to the MPs of SYRIZA – PS, the need to recognize the work, with the legal salary and the corresponding vesting of insurance days, for the person-caregiver of the disabled is imperative. In fact, they propose the participation in the meeting of the representatives of the National Confederation of Persons with Disabilities, the Panhellenic Federation of Associations of Parents and Guardians of Persons with Disabilities, the National Federation of the Blind, the Federation of the Deaf of Greece, the Greek Patients’ Union and the Support Network for the Disabled – 4Disabled.

In her statement, Katerina Notopoulou, Head of Social Cohesion and Family of SYRIZA-PS, said: “Most families with disabilities face a daily problem of survival, as they are unable to meet the increased care needs of their children and the demands of their work at the same time. For this reason, we are taking the initiative and bringing to Parliament, requesting the convening of the competent committees, the burning issue of support for parents with disabilities. In addition to the increase in the allowance of another person, we ask that the provision of assistance by another person be turned into practice, as well as the removal of all injustices regarding the possibility of early retirement for family carers. At the same time, the time has come for the State to recognize the contribution of caring parents to their children and society, by ensuring income, through salary payment and insurance coverage, so that they can establish their right to a pension in the future. The welfare state cannot continue to be absent for all these families”.