Athens News Agency: News in English, 07-04-18

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From: The Athens News Agency at <http://www.ana.gr/>

CONTENTS

[01] PASOK unveils new policy for disabled

[01] PASOK unveils new policy for disabled

Addressing a meeting with representatives of 50 organizations of people with disabilities, Papandreou stated that the quality of a civilised society is undermined by prejudice, stressing that when PASOK came into power the "walls of social exclusion will fall".

Parity of treatment is regarded as self-evident but the reality is different, as there is no respect for the citizen, pointed out the leader of PASOK.

Referring to the policy followed by the government, he said that the social state is being systematically underfinanced and undermined, whereas the goal of PASOK is to have it fundamentally restructured in order to become effective and be able to meet the needs of the 21st century.

Underlining that PASOK was "determined to proceed with the redistribution of wealth in favour of the many and of the weak," Papandreou said the party's new policy for welfare included a radical reorganisation of the National Health Service (ESY) with strong state support that would offer 24-hour care, seven days a week.

Pointing out that people with disabilities accounted for 12 percent of Greece's population - and up to 50 million people throughout the European Union - Papandreou stressed that the disabled were a priority for PASOK, which sought to bring hope at a time when the dignity of Greek men and women was under attack.

PASOK had decided to financially support the families of those with disabilities through social security and tax benefits and to assist mothers caring for disabled children, PASOK's leader announced. On a political level, meanwhile, the party planned to involved disabled people at all levels - starting with a decision to have disabled young people represented on every organ of PASOK's youth party.

The party's policy was presented in more detail by PASOK MP Anna Diamantopoulou, who said it planned to enlist the aid of local and regional authorities - who would be given much greater powers and responsibilities - in the effort to lift social exclusion.

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