1987. Különkiadvány, 1987.10.01 / HU_BFL_XIV_47_2
- At the otber end, self-exploiting overtime—in addition to alcohol abuse and the diseases caused by environmental pollution—is one of the main reaEons of the dramatic riee in the mortality rate of mén in the 35-55 age group. The economy1• decline aggravates the chronic consequencea of official social velfare policy intő an acute crieis, against vhich this policy ia poverless.- Has6 unemployment has reared ita head. The induatriea (construction) and régióné (Borsod and Szabolcs-Szatmar) vhere most of the unskilled labor is concentrated have been hit much sooner than the othere. A riaing proportion of the poor are revert ing from commut ing semiskilled and unskilled vorkers to unemployed. More recently, the vave of lay-offa has reached even vell- integrated strata (e.g., in the iron and Steel industry).- During the pást ten years, pensions and family allovances have been losing their reál value at an unprecedented rate.- The reál incomes of employees are declining, and in practice the leisure time available fór extra vork cannot be increased any further.- A turnaround is urgently needed in social velfare policy. We have to find vays to handle the acute crisis, and at the same time ve must alsó develop the concept of a név social velfare policy that vili be able to ease the chronic problems. Horeover, the turnaround must be executed at a time vhen the available resources are shrinking, vhereas they should be increasing. There Í6 no bope vhatsoever that a social velfare policy, compatible vith the requirements of stabilizing the economy, might be able to satisfy every justifiable demand simultaneously. It is necessary to identify the defense positions that must nőt be surrendered under any circumstances. Fór this very reason, hovever, it is nőt enough to cut the smaller pie a different vay. The entire institutional mechanism of social velfare policy muBt change.- Openness must be ensured fór the facts. Let the indicators of social velfare—particularly the co6t-of-living index and the method of its computation—be included in the informát ion that the government is obliged to release. The trade unions and other interest-representing organizations must be alloved to compare their ovn computations of the cost-of-living index vith those of the KSH [Central Statistical Office]. Let there be public debate on alternative vays of cutting the pie.- Organized representation of society's interests relating to social velfare policy must be made possible. The associations representing social-velfare interests should be able to turn directly to the appropriate committees of the National Assembly, request 8 seat fór their delegate on the PPF Social Policy Council, and form alsó federations other than the PPF. They should be able to give research commissions to the Central Statistical Office, and the Mas6 Communications Research Center. And the Central Statistical Office should be obliged to supply them information (except legitimate State secrets). V ¥ 43
