In fresh days, the Polish political phase has been moved by the proposal to introduce a one-time financial provision for couples with long-standing marital experience, colloquially called "500 plus for marriages". The legislature Committee on Petitions unanimously supported the initiative, beginning the way for further legislative work on the project. But is specified a solution truly essential and just?
Proposal for a benefit: financial details
According to the proposal, the amount of one-off benefit would depend on the duration of the marriage:
- PLN 5000 for couples with 50-year internship
- PLN 5500 rod 55 years
- PLN 6000 rod 60 years
- PLN 6500 rod 65 years
- 7000 PLN rod 70 years
- PLN 7500 rod 75 years
- 8000 PLN rod 80 years surviving together
The benefit would be paid from the budget of the Ministry of Family, Labour and Social Policy at the request of the spouses, confirmed by a certificate from the civilian State Office of the dimension of the relationship.
The position of the Ministry of Family: skepticism towards the proposal
The Ministry of Family, Labour and Social Policy expressed a negative opinion on the thought of introducing benefits for long-term marriages into the household Benefits Act. According to the Ministry, the household benefit directory includes primarily support related to the parenting and rearing of children, not the dimension of the marriage.
Arguments for and against: is this real support or populism?
During the discussion in the committee, Senators presented various arguments regarding the proposed benefit. Senator Michał Severyński supported the initiative, suggesting even that the proposed amounts are besides low in relation to the accomplishment of 50 or 70 years of marriage. He besides noted that the costs of specified a strategy would not be peculiarly advanced for the state budget, given the number of eligible persons.
On the another hand, there are critical voices that indicate the populist nature of specified a solution. Should the state reward financially for the duration of marriage, or should it better focus on real social problems specified as support for families with children or single people?
What's next on the project?
The Commission unanimously decided to proceed its legislative work on the petition. The next step will be the preparation of the bill by the legislature Legislative Office. Issues specified as the exact amount of benefits, the frequency of their award and the method of backing will be further addressed.
The proposal to introduce a one-time benefit for long-term marriages raises mixed feelings. On the 1 hand, it is simply a form of appreciation of couples who have been married for many years, which is becoming increasingly uncommon today. On the another hand, there are concerns about the populist nature of this solution and its real impact on the improvement of the life situation of beneficiaries.
Irrespective of the final legislative decision, it is worth considering what the priorities of the state's social policy are and whether specified initiatives truly deliver the desired results.
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