The ruling party SMER is ready to propose a constitutional change over the law on material needs assistance. MPs last week approved the legislation despite remarks delivered by President Ivan Gasparovic. The law talks about receiving social benefits by legal probity and in exchange for a certain amount of public-service work.
Although the law has already been passed in Parliament, there are voices claiming that the legislation may be at odds with the Constitution and its provision on the ban of forced labour in particular. That is why a constitutional amendment would be necessary. As the ruling SMER party doesn’t have enough MPs for such a move, Smer is ready to hold talks with opposition parliamentary parties about gaining their support, stated Prime Minister Robert Fico on a political discussion programme from Slovak Radio called the Saturday Dialogues. According to Fico, the new law is tough but necessary. He added that the legislation may serve as an efficient instrument against those who receive social benefits and at the same time behave in an non-adaptable manner or commit petty crimes. Opposition SDKU caucus leader Lucia Zitnanska said that the law won't resolve the problems of excluded communities as their real problem is unemployment. The Government should focus on work with Roma children, Zitnanska added.
