The responsibility to financially sustain social welfare recipients does not solely rest with the government. This was the assertion made by Minister for Women, Children and Social Protection Lynda Tabuya in Parliament yesterday.
Ms. Tabuya was addressing criticisms that current social welfare allowances are insufficient to support recipients amid rising costs of living.
“It is not the sole responsibility of government to financially sustain our social welfare recipients,” she reiterated.
Speaking in iTaukei, she passionately remarked, “E sega ni tavi ni matanitu me qarava vakatabakidua vakailavo na qase, o ira e ra sega ni tu vinaka na tuvaki ni yagodra, kei na dravudravua. Oqo nai tavi ni dua na vuvale. Na matanitu e solia ga na veivuke me vakuria tu nai tavi e dodonu ga me nona eliu e dua na vuvale.” (It is first and foremost the responsibility of the family).
She further stated that the government only supplements this responsibility, recognizing the service of senior citizens, the vulnerable, children, and those who are physically and mentally disabled.
“For those who truly need more support and are abandoned by their family, this is addressed on a case-by-case basis,” she added.