The european disability strategy should include investment obligations to boost social services

The European Disability Strategy (2020-2030) should build on what has been already achieved at national level and include investments obligation for Member States to boost social services and infrastructures, Maltese MEP and former Prime Minister Alfred Sant told the European Parliament when voting in favour the report on the ‘Implementation of the European Disability Strategy’. Dr Sant said that principles and guidance are well embraced across EU, but the reality is that their full implementation is still hindered by strict budgetary rules. Under the impetus of Juncker’s Commission there is a genuine recognition that the European project needs to put vigour back into its social dimension.
The Maltese MEP said that in the aftermath of 2008 economic crisis, austerity policies forced Member States to cut expenditure for care and support services for people with disabilities. In the same period, the Commission developed a ten-year Strategy for people with disabilities, to better protect them and to align the EU with international standards.
“These principles and guidance in the Strategy, hardly matched with the budgetary cuts under the Stability and Growth Pact. Notwithstanding, at half of its life span, most of Member States, likewise the government in Malta, are implementing the Disability Strategy through measures intended for every person with disability to become an active citizen, with better opportunities in the labour market and better access to educational experience and social protection.” Remarked Dr Sant.
The report was approved with 529 votes in favour, 28 against and 45 abstentions.

Maltese Version – L-ISTRATEĠIJA EWROPEA GĦAD-DIŻABILITA` GĦANDHA TINKLUDI INVESTIMENTI OBBLIGATORJI LI JAGĦTU SPINTA LIS-SERVIZZI SOĊJALI

L-Istrateġija Ewropea tad-Diżabilita` (2020-2030) għandha tinbena fuq il-kisbiet li seħħew fuq livell nazzjonali u għandha tinkludi investimenti obbligatorji għall-Istati Membri biex tingħata spinta lis-servizzi soċjali u l-infrastruttura. Dan qalu Alfred Sant fil-Parlament Ewropew meta vvota favur rapport dwar l-Implimentazzjoni tal-Istrateġija Ewropea għad-Diżabilita`’. Dr Sant qal li l-prinċipji u l-linji gwida huma mħaddna tajjeb fl-UE kollha, iżda r-realta` hi li l-implimentazzjoni tagħhom hija mxekkla minħabba regoli baġitarji stretti.
“Taħt it-tmexxija tal-Kummissjoni ta’ Juncker hemm għarfien ġenwin li l-proġett Ewropew jeħtieġ jagħti spinta ġdida lid-dimensjoni soċjali.”
Dr Sant qal li wara l-kriżi ekonomika tal-2008, il-miżuri ta’ awsterita` sforzaw lill-istati membri jqaċċtu fin-nefqa tas-servizzi tal-kura u appoġġ għal persuni b’diżabilita`. Fl-istess perijodu, il-Kummissjoni ħolqot strateġija ta’ għaxar snin għal persuni b’diżabilita`, biex tipproteġihom aħjar u biex l-UE tkun pari passu mal-istandards internazzjonali.
“Dawn il-prinċipji u linji gwida tal-istrateġija ma jaqblux mat-tnaqqis fil-baġits li sar taħt il-Patt ta’ Stabilita` u Tkabbbir. Minkejja dan, bosta stati membri, inkluż il-Gvern Malti, qed jimplimentaw l-Istrateġija għad-Diżabilita` permezz ta’ miżuri intiżi għal kull persuna b’diżabilita` biex issir ċittadin attiv, b’opportunitajiet aħjar fid-dinja tax-xogħol u aċċess aħjar għall-edukazzjoni u l-protezzjoni soċjali.” qal Dr Sant.
Ir-rapport kien approvat b’529 voti favur, 28 kontra u 45 astenzjoni.