Caritas memo on general elections: review poverty line

In its memorandum for the general elections, Church organisation Caritas urged the political parties to redefine the national poverty line, making it realistic and give wider definition of poverty. This, Caritas said, should not only be based on the financial income but also on the resources needed for a person to buy the essential goods and services for its family.

Caritas also said legal, economic and social protections should be guaranteed to all families while access for decent accommodation should be granted to families facing precarious economic conditions.

"Poverty is inherited and we shouldn't allow this social plague to continue spreading among further families," Caritas said.

It said that concrete measures should be taken for children at risk of poverty line are given special attention and opportunities for an inclusive and education, training and work.

"It is everyone's responsibility to see that poverty is eradicated. However, the state has the duty to ensure that every citizen enjoys a decent standard of living."

Caritas, who has called for a review of the minimum wage, said that it was the state's responsibility to ensure that every citizens lives a decent quality of life, where his income covers the essential needs.