Hasan Ademov: The government is ready to react to price increases, people should be calm

„The Crisis Headquarters under the Prime Minister constantly monitors price dynamics and is ready to react and activate additional measures, if necessary.“ This was explained by the Minister of Labor and Social Policy Hasan Ademov in the program “Wake up“ on Nova TV. “Citizens should be calm, we are ready to react“, he added, quoted by the ministry's press center.
The Social Minister was categorical that the main goal of the government's measures is to prevent an increase in the prices of products for consumers due to the rise in fuel prices as a result of the crisis in the Middle East. “We have identified the sectors that are related to the supply chain. For example, transport. There are measures in place there“, Ademov gave an example.
The measure to support vulnerable citizens with 20 euros for fuel is in effect and will be activated for April as well, if the average monthly retail prices of mass fuels according to data from the National Revenue Agency (NRA) reach or exceed 1.60 euros.
“There is no need to submit new documents for the aid in April by those who will receive the support for March“, explained Ademov. However, applications can be submitted by those who meet the conditions but have failed to apply for the aid in March.
It is expected that at the beginning of the week it will become clear how many people will receive the 20 euro support for March. Then the final data from the NRA should be ready, where they check how many of the citizens who receive aid from the Social Assistance Agency or have submitted applications meet the criteria – have incomes lower than twice the poverty line and own a car.
“In mid-April, the amounts due for March will be paid“, Ademov said. Next week, the government will take another step to help the vulnerable – the new regulation on energy poverty is expected to be adopted.
“The Ministry of Labor and Social Policy (MLSP) has received dozens of signals about using the social system as a tool to pressure voters“, Ademov summarized. He gave an example of cases in which recipients of monthly social benefits, obliged to perform community service, were forced to put up election posters.
Despite the efforts of the MLSP and the Bulgarian Red Cross to prevent pre-election abuses with food packages for the most vulnerable, which are currently being distributed under the European solidarity program, there are such cases.
„In one village in the Yakoruda municipality, they distribute the products to those who are eligible, but not all of them – a part of them is saved and then given to people who vote in a certain way“, Ademov said.
He called on everyone who witnesses an irregularity to report it. Ademov thanked all conscientious social workers and was categorical that the Ministry stands behind them.
“A way is being sought for the two children, who were taken out of the family home in Yambol in a crisis, to be placed in the same foster family, if no relatives are found“, the Minister of Social Affairs also explained. Ademov thanked the employees of the Ministry of Interior, who risked their lives to save the child hanging from the balcony, as well as the employees of the “Child Protection“ department of the “Social Assistance“ Directorate – Yambol, who immediately reacted and took the boy and his sister out and placed them in a safe environment.
“It is mandatory that they be brought together. There is a foster family that is ready to take the two children together. The coordination mechanism operates daily, we hope to have a solution at the beginning of the week“, added Minister Ademov.