2,000 personal assistants are missing. Under the new law, the state will be their employer.

N1 HrvatskaIndependentCenter4 hr. ago

The Croatian Ministry of Labor, Pension System, Family, and Social Policy has announced a new initiative allowing the state to directly employ personal assistants in social care institutions it operates, rather than exclusively through NGOs. This change aims to address the current shortage of around 2,000 personal assistants, with approximately 3,400 already employed. Minister Alen Ružić stated that this measure ensures sufficient staffing for individuals with disabilities, emphasizing the importance of continuous service access. The reform allows additional assistants to work in over 50 state-run social care facilities and continues to permit employment through NGOs. Existing assistants can choose their employer, while users will benefit from 24/7 support, including weekends and holidays. The decision to withhold the assistant’s name from the assignment mirrors the healthcare system’s approach, enabling flexibility. Until the network is fully operational, users in underserved areas can temporarily rely on trusted persons, who will receive training. Funding is secured in the national budget, and assistants will enjoy collective agreement rights, with a salary coefficient of 1.37,预计

Bias read (Center): The article presents the policy announcement as a balanced effort by the government to improve accessibility for people with disabilities, without overtly praising or criticizing the policy. It includes quotes from the minister explaining the rationale and benefits, but does not emphasize partisan立场

Net.hrIndependentCenter4 hr. ago

The Ministry of Labor, Pension System, Family, and Social Policy in Croatia has announced plans to increase the number of personal assistants available to people with disabilities by allowing their direct employment in state-run social care institutions, rather than exclusively through NGOs. Minister Alen Ružić stated that approximately 3,400 personal assistants currently work within the system, but around 2,000 more are needed to fully realize the rights of individuals with disabilities. The new policy aims to ensure continuous service availability by enabling assistants to choose employers and expanding the network of institutions offering this support. The first recruitment competitions for personal assistants are set to begin next week after necessary legal frameworks were finalized. Key changes include 24/7 access to services, anonymity of assistant assignments, and the introduction of 'persons of trust' as temporary substitutes if assistants are unavailable. Funding for these measures has already been secured in the national budget, with assistants receiving standard labor rights and salary calculations.

Bias read (Center): The article presents the policy initiative and ministerial statements without overt ideological slant. It reports on the government's plan to expand personal assistant services, citing official figures and legal processes, while emphasizing the goal of improving accessibility for people with impair.

Index.hrIndependentCenter4 hr. ago

The Ministry of Labor, Pension System, Families, and Social Policy announced plans to employ personal assistants in state-run social care institutions, expanding the current system which primarily relied on NGOs. Minister Alen Ružić stated that approximately 3,400 personal assistants currently work in the system, but around 2,000 more are needed to fully realize the rights of people with disabilities. The new measure aims to ensure sufficient numbers of personal assistants by allowing their employment in over 50 state-run social care institutions, while existing assistants can choose their employer. Ružić emphasized that this move shifts some responsibility to the state, enables personal assistants to select employers, and ensures continuous service for individuals with disabilities. The first job competitions for hiring personal assistants in state institutions are set to begin next week after necessary legal frameworks are finalized. Personal assistant services will now be available 24/7, including weekends and holidays, with a new system allowing users to change assistants without disclosing names, similar to health insurance vouchers. Until the network of personal assistants is

Bias read (Center): The article presents information about a government initiative regarding the employment of personal assistants for people with disabilities. While the topic involves government action and public policy, the framing remains neutral, focusing on factual updates and ministerial statements without overt

tportalIndependentCenter4 hr. ago

The Ministry of Social Security in Croatia, led by Minister Alen Ružić, announced plans to address the shortage of personal assistants for people with disabilities. Currently, around 3,400 personal assistants work within the system, but approximately 2,000 more are needed to fully meet the demand. The ministry aims to fill this gap through targeted employment initiatives, allowing additional assistants to be hired across over 50 social care institutions and non-governmental organizations. Existing assistants will retain the option to choose their employer. The new system will enable continuous service availability 24 hours a day, seven days a week, including holidays, with a focus on flexibility and user choice. Pilot recruitment processes are set to begin next week after necessary legal frameworks are finalized. In cases where personal assistants are unavailable, users will temporarily rely on trusted individuals who will undergo training. Funding has been secured in the state budget, and personal assistants will receive standard collective agreement rights, including a wage coefficient of 1.37, with potential increases in the coming months.

Bias read (Center): While the article discusses a politically sensitive issue related to disability support and government responsibility, the framing remains balanced. It presents the minister’s statements without overtly positive or negative language, provides factual information about the policy changes, and doesnot

Novi listIndependentCenter4 hr. ago

The article reports on a decision by the Ministry of Labor, Pension System, Families, and Social Policy in Croatia to employ personal assistants directly within state-run social welfare institutions. Currently, around 3,400 personal assistants are employed through NGOs, but it is estimated that approximately 2,000 more are needed to fully meet service demands. The change follows a ruling by the Constitutional Court in December 2025 that expanded the right to this service and removed limits on hours per user. Existing assistants will have the option to continue working through NGOs or apply for employment in state institutions. The ministry aims to ensure continuous and accessible services for people with disabilities while maintaining NGOs as partners. A financial compensation framework has been introduced to address cost differences between NGO and state employment, based on recommendations from the Croatian Union of People with Disabilities (SOIH).

Bias read (Center): The article presents the policy decision and its implications in a balanced manner, focusing on the administrative and logistical aspects rather than taking a clear ideological stance. It outlines both the goals and the mechanisms of the reform without overtly favoring either the state or NGOs. The措

HRT (Hrvatska radiotelevizija)State / PublicCenter5 hr. ago

The Croatian Ministry of Labor, Pension System, Family, and Social Policy, led by Minister Alen Ružić, has announced a decision to hire personal assistants for individuals with disabilities. Currently, there are around 3,400 personal assistants in the system, but an estimated additional 2,000 are needed to fully meet the needs of people with disabilities. The new measure allows for temporary employment of personal assistants in state-run institutions, as well as through NGOs and other entities. It also introduces the possibility for existing assistants to choose their employer, similar to a bidding process. The first calls for applications will take place next week after necessary legal frameworks are finalized. Personal assistants will now be available 24/7, including weekends and holidays, and users will receive anonymous assignments like medical prescriptions. In cases where personal assistants are unavailable, a 'person of trust' can temporarily replace them, provided they undergo training. Funding for this measure is already secured in the national budget, and personal assistants will enjoy collective agreement rights, including a salary coefficient of 1.37, which is expected

Bias read (Center): The article presents the government's initiative to expand access to personal assistants for people with disabilities, focusing on policy implementation and administrative procedures. While the issue of disability support is politically sensitive, the article does not exhibit overt ideological slant