(Read full article on civil.ge)

At a November 22 government meeting, Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili announced plans of replacing Georgia’s “faulty” social policy system with a “healthier” alternative, that would offer jobs in the public sector, instead of social allowances to citizens able to work.

“With current social policy, we accustomed adult labor force, our citizens, to unemployment, poverty, and inaction,” the Prime Minister said, vowing to instead create a “flexible system” where citizens will earn their social assistance as salaries.

Besides, the PM continued, “they need to have a possibility to work extra and feel free to work at two or three places and earn income from multiple parallel sources.” “Our citizens should get used to work.”

Fearing the loss of social aid, the Prime Minister said, socially vulnerable citizens able to work are not motivated to start a new job or improve basic living conditions. Garibashvili estimated that at least 200,000 out of the total 600,000 vulnerable citizens receiving social aid fall into the category.