New criminal charges in Montenegro reveal abuses of funds from the professional rehabilitation and employment fund for persons with disabilities. Two companies and five individuals from Bijelo Polje are suspected of damaging the budget by nearly 100,000 euros through fictitious employment of persons with disabilities and claiming state subsidies. NGOs claim these abuses are well-known and involve private companies and some NGOs, with support from people at the top of the government. High salaries and abuses threaten small workshops that genuinely employ persons with disabilities, which face closure due to lack of support. The law allows employers to receive subsidies up to 75% of the gross salary of employed persons with disabilities, but due to legal loopholes, some employers report inflated salaries to claim subsidies. The highest number of abuses was observed in Rožaje and Berane, where the number of registered persons with disabilities exceeds that of all other municipalities combined.
Political Perspectives:
Left: Left-leaning sources emphasize the systemic corruption and complicity of government officials in enabling the misuse of funds intended for vulnerable persons with disabilities. They highlight the negative impact on small genuine workshops and call for stronger oversight and reforms to protect the rights and employment opportunities of disabled persons.
Center: Center-leaning reports focus on the facts of the criminal charges and the legal framework that allows for subsidies, noting the loopholes that enable abuse. They present balanced coverage of the issue, including statements from NGOs, government officials, and affected parties, emphasizing the need for legal reforms and better enforcement.
Right: Right-leaning narratives may stress the misuse of public funds and inefficiency in government programs, calling for stricter controls and accountability. They might also highlight the burden on taxpayers and the need to limit state subsidies, while supporting genuine employment initiatives for persons with disabilities.
