Pan-Cyprian Organisation of the Blind Protests Benefit Cuts

The Pan-Cyprian Organisation of the Blind held a protest outside the Presidential Palace, demanding equal participation and a decent standard of living. The President of the Organisation, Christakis Nikolaidis, criticised a bill to be submitted next week regarding the abolition of blind benefits and the granting of a downgraded allowance, provided there is a personal assistant.

Mr. Nikolaidis noted that the new legislation leaves people with multiple sclerosis and rheumatoid arthritis without support, unless they have a personal assistant. Opposition was also expressed to the level of compensation for caregivers, which ranges from 70 cents to 3 euros per hour.

The Organisation handed over a memorandum to a representative of the Presidency, requesting improvement of the proposed legislation.