Labour Minister calls for cooperation with civil society towards social inclusion, poverty reduction

Although progress has been made in adopting new legislation, it is necessary that the society fully recognises the need for social inclusion of marginalised groups, Labour and Social Welfare Minister Suad Numanovic told the National conference “Strategy for reduction of poverty and social exclusion: Objectives and effects”, underlining that relevant stakeholders need to work together towards the common goals of poverty reduction and social inclusion of marginalised groups.

In this regard, Minister Numanovic termed the civil society “a very important link” in both the preparation and the implementation of strategic documents related to social inclusion and poverty reduction.

He recalled that various stakeholders, such as the Parliament, local governments, NGOs, marginalised groups’ representatives, have taken an active part in the process of poverty reduction. He added that Montenegro is the only country that includes refugees, displaced persons and the Roma in poverty measurements with the goal of helping these groups, as well as persons with disabilities, to achieve social inclusion and poverty reduction.

The Minister concluded by voicing Montenegro's ambition of becoming a regional leader in care for children with disabilities and called upon the civil society to offer their views on tackling these important issues.