Cabinet's second social package unveiled

The Government is obligated to share with people the good results attained via Slovakia's economic growth and more effective tax collection, Smer chairman and Prime Minister Robert Fico said at the governing party's congress in Bratislava on Saturday. Against this backdrop, the premier went on to unveil the Cabinet's second social, economic and financial package comprising 15 items worth a total of €200 million. According to Fico, a batch of measures introduced in the first package last year had no unfavourable impact on the deficit or public debt. Measures to be introduced via the second package include an increase in the minimum wage (currently at €380) closer to €400, VAT reduction applicable to selected basic foodstuffs such as meat, milk and bread to 10 percent as of next year, a cut in payments for medicine used by children and pensioners and a renovation of common areas in 13 hospitals. In addition, in an effort to bolster the support for families and regions grappling with an unemployment rate topping 20 percent, the Government will usher in a system of assistance benefitting, among others, public and private investments, the building of infrastructure and employment support.