Background information

The measure is among a new package of measures announced on 21 February 2024 upon the decision of the Cabinet. It aims to respond to the increasing needs of the households as determined by the on-going increases of prices of essential goods, services, electricity and fuels. It is a one-off support measures targeting particular social groups.

Content of measure

Beneficiaries of the measure are the state beneficiary recipients of the Deputy Ministry of Social Welfare of the Ministry of Labour and Social Insurances. Beneficiaries will receive a lump-sum support payment on the basis of income criteria, which have not yet been announced.

The beneficiary groups are single and two parent households. They will receive a lump sum payment with the maximum amount of €250 for every child. Households with more than four (4) dependent children will receive an additional amount. Minimum Guaranteed Income recipients that are not included in the above two household categories will also receive a corresponding amount.

Use of measure

It is expected, according to the estimation of the Ministry of Finance, that more than 27,000 households will benefit from the measure.

Target groups

Workers	Businesses	Citizens
Does not apply to workers	Does not apply to businesses	People on social benefits

Actors and funding

Actors	Funding
National government	National funds

Social partners

Social partners' role in designing the measure and form of involvement:

	Trade unions	Employers' organisations
Role	No involvement	No involvement
Form	Not applicable	Not applicable

Social partners' role in the implementation, monitoring and assessment phase:

• No involvement
• Main level of involvement: N/A

Involvement

There was no involvement of social partners in the decision for the adoption of the measure and the designing. The Ministry of Finance has decided about the measure, which was approved by the Cabinet. The Deputy Ministry of Welfare is the responsible subject for the implementation of the measure.

Views and reactions

The whole package of the support measures received harsh criticism from both the opposition political parties and the Pancyprian Federation of Labour (PEO). It has been characterised as insufficient and incomplete as it does not correspond to the increasing needs of households. For the particular measure, the criticism is directed mostly towards the exclusion of pensioners and people with disabilities from the beneficiary list.

Sources

• 21 February 2024: Νέο πακέτο στήριξης (www.sigmalive.com)