„People are still hesitant to file signals, but we have the first reported data on attempts to use the social system to influence voters. For example, from the municipalities of Yakoruda, Belitsa from the Blagoevgrad region. We have signals from the Pleven region, from Northwestern Bulgaria, which are related to employment programs. People are being told that if they vote for a certain political force, they will be included in this program”. This was stated by the Minister of Labor and Social Policy Hasan Ademov in Vratsa, the press center of the MLSP reports.
The Minister's last meeting with the regional structures of the Ministry of Labor and Social Policy (MLSP) in the Northwestern Planning Region was the last meeting of his tour of the six planning regions. At it, he instructed the employees of the MLSP and the agencies not to allow influence on the vote of citizens with the instruments of social policy, as well as not to succumb to such.
Minister Ademov added that the instruments of social policy are numerous and, unfortunately, over the years, they have been used to influence vulnerable groups in society.
„In Northwestern Bulgaria, there are many vulnerable groups and they are most often subject to such influences. They tell them: If you don't vote in a certain way, we will take away your social benefits, we will exclude you from the lists for hot lunches, for a personal assistant“, explained Ademov. He recalled that the five-year deadlines for renewing the individual assessment of needs under the Law on People with Disabilities are expiring. This is also used as a tool to pressure citizens, as they are threatened that the hours in which they are entitled to use a personal assistant will be reduced.
“Our goal is to prevent all of this, so that everyone can freely express their will and not vote under the influence of a controlled vote”, said the Minister of Social Affairs. He added that there are many parties that use these tools, but one stands out.
Minister Ademov called on the media and civil society to signal when they have data on irregularities. The signals are checked by the ministry's inspectorate, which reviews the facts and takes measures.
„We have stated that we stand behind our employees on the ground. There are dependencies between local authorities and social services, including in the management of social services by municipalities. That is why we are categorical - employees must comply with the law, not succumb to pressure”, said Ademov.
The Minister of Social Affairs used the opportunity to congratulate all social workers on the occasion of World Social Work Day. „I find it difficult to accept the definition „worker“, because the social sphere requires motivation, requires a cause, requires solving complex problems. Something that our employees do all the time”, he added.
During his visit to Vratsa, Ademov also held a meeting with the regional governor of Vratsa Stefan Krasimirov, as well as with the deputy mayor for health and social activities Veronika Tsenova.