Ombudsman: thousands of disabled verge on poverty

The Czech ombudsman, Otakar Motejl, warned on Thursday that thousands of the country’s disabled were on the verge of poverty. Mr Motejl told reporters that a Czech law aimed at protecting the handicapped should quickly be amended; if MPs fail to do so, many disabled Czechs will face poverty.

The relevant act was tightened in 2009 as part of a government drive to combat welfare abuse. It now only grants disability pensions to people who had previously worked and paid social insurance. Those with the most serious disabilities who were unable to work, however, are as of January 2010 not eligible for any state subsidies. The ombudsman believes the current situation is a breach of their constitutional rights.