Labour Minister Bošković: Montenegro makes progress in addressing issues related to vulnerable groups

Podgorica, Montenegro (20 March 2014) – Minister of Labour and Social Welfare Predrag Bošković met yesterday with Nils Muiznieks, Commissioner for Human Rights at the Council of Europe, for talks on the status of vulnerable groups in Montenegro.

Minister Bošković presented the Government's activities in terms of internally displaced persons' socialisation and integration into the Montenegrin society, with an emphasis on the Roma population. In that regard, he underlined Montenegro has adopted a strategy for permanent solution of issues related to displaced persons and internally displaced persons, which defines conditions for integration, as well as for the voluntary return to their country of origin.

The Government has also adopted various strategic documents in cooperation of the UN agencies, Council of Europe Development Bank and the USA Embassy in Montenegro, he added. Through the Regional Housing Project, Montenegro is undertaking measures required for providing funds in dealing with housing issues for 6 063 persons belonging to the most vulnerable categories. Montenegro has received funds for the construction of 62 households in Nikšić, a home for elderly people in Pljevlja and 120 households in Camp Konik in Podgorica, Minister Bošković explained.

“Montenegro is particularly focused on the involvement of children of displaced persons, particularly the Roma, in the education system through pre-school, primary, secondary and higher education”, Minister Bošković highlighted. 

He informed Commissioner Muiznieks about the efforts of the Montenegrin Government in intensifying bilateral cooperation with the countries of origin, especially with the Government of Kosovo, having in mind that a large number of displaced persons originate from that area. The establishment of direct communication with displaced persons and internally displaced persons resulted in the return of 14 families with 72 members to the country of origin, and most of them returned to Kosovo, montenegro's Labour Minister stressed. So far, 103 families have expressed their willingness to return to their country of origin and the Government is currently working on the realisation of their requests, he added.

Montenegro has also made progress in addressing issues related to disabled persons, particularly when it comes to rehabilitation and employment of that vulnerable category. This progress is tangible as the Government has allocated EUR 2 million from the budget for supporting this vulnerable category, Minister Bošković underlined.

The two officials agreed that Montenegro has shown great capacity and willingness in resolving these issues, and expressed their expectations that good cooperation between Ministry of Labour and Social Welfare of Montenegro and the Council of Europe will be continued.