The new support measures announced in a televised address by our president, totaling 60 million euros plus additional aid for refugees through the Agency, are all well and good, though the exact amounts for Greek Cypriot refugees cannot be calculated preliminarily.
When we hear about benefits, naturally, the recipients rejoice, overlooking the fact that we will foot the bill.
Money will go in one pocket and out the other. That’s how state gifts to its citizens work. One way or another, everyone will contribute to repayment. Perhaps not equally, but repayment directly or indirectly affects everyone.
As we said, gifts are always welcome.
But how much can a one-time amount of 200-250 euros really help someone who is struggling financially, whether they are a single child or from a large family, or economically vulnerable in any way?
Rent will remain high, electricity costs the same, and the grocery basket likewise. So, when someone receives 250 euros, how exactly will it help them? For a month, they may catch their breath, and we can still buy fuel without the tax cap, then back to queuing for subsidized goods.
By periodically giving out millions, like candy to temporarily sweeten the pain, a long-term policy that provides lasting support is not created.
A social policy in which, for example, wages match the cost of living, a formula is finally found to reduce the gap and discrimination in pension amounts, we stop paying double to EAC for pollution fines that citizens are not responsible for, there are not two categories of widows: those whose wives died after 2018 benefit from their pension, while for others, their spouse’s contributions go to waste.
New couples will receive assistance with child-rearing infrastructure, not relying on the kindness of grandparents and so on and so forth.
Of course, not everything can be done at once, but 60 and 100 million each time could gradually build a long-term policy. Under the Christofias government, the tactic of handouts without discrimination was heavily criticized. However, spasmodic benefits, even if targeted, aren’t much different.
P.S. Of course, our state’s problem is not the benefits, but the hundreds of millions thrown away in the “wedding of Karagiozis,” as the late former Archbishop would say. It may not be a wedding, it could be kickbacks, corruption, mismanagement.
