SOCIAL PROTECTION

The Assembly adopted recommendations on Social Guarantees during the Transition Period in the PABSEC Member Countries (rec. 14/1996), on the Rights and Social Protection of Refugees and Displaced Persons in the Black Sea Region (rec. 21/1997), on the Legal Framework of the Social Protection of Pensioners in the BSEC Member-Countries (rec. 36/1999), on the Legal Framework of Child Protection in the BSEC Member-Countries (rec. 41/1999), on the Legal Framework of the Protection of Migrant Workers in the Black Sea Countries and the Relations between Immigrant Communities and the Host Country (rec. 51/2001), on Social Reintegration of Jobless People (rec. 67/2002), on Fight against Poverty in the BSEC Member States (Rec.74/2003), and on Improving Social, Economic and Civil Rights of People with Dissabilities (rec.77/2004), calling for governmental social guarantees and new, clearly defined social policies for the most vulnerable groups of population.

Taking into consideration that health care is vital for the population of the countries in transition the PABSEC also addressed this subject and adopted a recommendation on Cooperation in the Field of Public Health among the BSEC Member-Countries (rec. 44/2000), calling on the national parliaments and governments to enact effective national legislation securing the health care protection as a fundamental human right enshrined in the European Social Charter of the Council of Europe, and as a crucial factor of the development of the society.

Recognizing that the achievement of equal and full participation of women in all spheres of activity constitutes an inseparable part of political, economic, social and cultural development of all countries, and taking into consideration that social progress requires active participation of women in promoting international peace and cooperation, the PABSEC has taken up the subject on Women’s Participation in Political, Economic, Social and Cultural Life (rec. 61/2002), recommending to enact effective legislation covering the legal gaps related to equality between men and women, and to harmonize the national legislation with the existing European and international standards, within the EU integration process.

During the last years the quality of life in the BSEC Member States has gone through various changes but at the same time it starts to gradually improve in terms of prosperity and well-being of the people of the Black Sea region. Promoting a recovery in living standards by continuing positive macroeconomic trends, accompanied by structural reforms and programs to reduce poverty, is now one of the greatest challenges confronting the governments of the BSEC member states. The main priorities among the BSEC member states’ governance, as set in the Recommendation on Improvement of the quality of life in the BSEC Member States (rec.100/2007), should be the challenges of increasing employment rates, combating unemployment and enhancing social cohesion, in order to achieve the ultimate goal of improving the conditions of life for all citizens within the Black Sea region.