MEP requests urgent meeting on social assistance

ORANJESTAD – The MEP parliamentary faction has formally requested an urgent meeting of Parliament's Standing Committee on Social Affairs to discuss hardship cases involving Aruba's social assistance regulations.

In a letter signed by MP Hendrik Tevreden, the party argues that the current legislation may create unfair situations for people who, because of serious medical or humanitarian circumstances, are required to remain abroad for an extended period.

According to information Noticiacla has, the initiative is based in part on the case of an Aruban woman who is currently in Colombia receiving medical treatment. MEP says she encountered problems with her social assistance payments because her stay abroad exceeded the period allowed under the current regulations, even though she remained overseas for health-related reasons.

The party is asking the committee to examine whether the legislation or its implementation can be adjusted to allow exceptions in clearly defined humanitarian cases.

MEP also proposes inviting the Ministry of Social Affairs and the Department of Social Affairs to provide additional information during the meeting. According to the party, the issue deserves urgent attention because of its social and humanitarian impact.

NoticiaCla understands that Aruba's Ministry of Health has already become involved in the case. However, it is not yet known what the outcome of that intervention has been