The fight against poverty and social inclusion requires cooperation between departments. With this in mind, the Government reached a decision on their latest conference and formed a National Coordinative Mechanism or National Coordinative Body to deal with questions regarding social inclusion in the Republic of Macedonia.

This was announced today, at a press-conference by the Minister of Labor and Social Policy, Mr. Spiro Ristovski.

Mr. Ristovski informs they have formed a Poverty and Social Inclusion Reduction Committee, members of which will be numerous Ministers, who will conduct a coordinated policy on the subject of social inclusion. A Poverty and Social Inclusion Reduction National Operative Group has also been formed, composed of state officials who will develop programs with concrete proposed measures and policies in order to better coordinate and implement measurements and activities.

The Minister reminded of the National Strategy for Poverty and Social Inclusion Reduction 2010-2020 passed by the Government in order to raise the well-being of the citizens of Macedonia, regardless of their social status.

“We are fighting the problem of social inclusion on two fronts: education and employment. Education and employment are the two instruments helping us pursue the end of the transgenerational transfer of social inclusion and poverty typical for socially disadvantaged families”, stated Mr. Ristovski.

Keeping in mind that education affects poverty, the Minister reminded that the Government introduced compulsory high school education, conditioned allowances for students in high school, free textbooks and free transportation to and from school, and free dormitory accommodation for the children coming from socially disadvantaged families.

“These measurements were complemented by subsidies for power consumption which is now used by over 20.000 households. So far we have provided over 340 apartments for the socially disadvantaged, opened 41 soup kitchen, and we are implementing the Program for health and spa recreation of pensioners with lowest incomes” – highlighted Mr. Ristovski.