ZAGREB, Sept 10 (Hina) - Under a bill on war veterans' rights, which is part of a package of bills dealing with social reforms, the monthly disability benefit for disabled veterans would be 115 percent of the average monthly salary in
Croatia instead of the former 160 percent. Based on the 3,326 kuna basic salary, the first category of disabled veterans would thus receive 3,824 instead of 7,983 kuna. Under the bill, the state budget would have to be tapped for 595 million kuna. According to the War Veterans' Ministry, which drafted the bill, this would be a cut of 36 percent in relation to the current law. The bill also stipulates that not all veterans would be entitled to a 50 percent bonus on the disability benefit, which they currently receive for having participated in the 1990s Homeland Defence War. In the future, only veterans who are out of work or without pension or do not receive salary com
ZAGREB, Sept 10 (Hina) - Under a bill on war veterans' rights, which
is part of a package of bills dealing with social reforms, the
monthly disability benefit for disabled veterans would be 115
percent of the average monthly salary in Croatia instead of the
former 160 percent.
Based on the 3,326 kuna basic salary, the first category of disabled
veterans would thus receive 3,824 instead of 7,983 kuna.
Under the bill, the state budget would have to be tapped for 595
million kuna. According to the War Veterans' Ministry, which
drafted the bill, this would be a cut of 36 percent in relation to
the current law.
The bill also stipulates that not all veterans would be entitled to
a 50 percent bonus on the disability benefit, which they currently
receive for having participated in the 1990s Homeland Defence War.
In the future, only veterans who are out of work or without pension
or do not receive salary compensation since earning the right to
professional rehabilitation and during said rehabilitation would
be entitled to the bonus.
Despite earlier indications that veterans with less than 50 percent
physical disability would remain without financial entitlements,
the bill states that those with 50 percent disability would get a
459 kuna monthly benefit. Benefits for less disabled veterans would
be lower.
All disabled war veterans would pay taxes and surtaxes, as all other
citizens. The status of every disabled veteran would be subject to
review. Evaluation for Post Traumatic Stress Disorder would be
regulated by a special rule book. The bill also mentions special
psychological and other care for PTSP-afflicted disabled
veterans.
The status of a war veteran will be based exclusively on belonging
to a war unit and participation in direct armed resistance.
Contrary to the current law, the parents of a killed war veteran
will earn a family allowance, single parents in the amount of 70 or
both in the amount of 100 percent of the monthly basic salary, if
they are unemployed and receive no pension. If they are employed or
receive pension, the allowance is 40 percent. The family of a
detained or missing soldier would enjoy equal rights.
As for housing, the bill stipulates it is provided for disabled war
veterans or other war victims without housing in the place they
resided before joining the struggle for the defence of Croatia's
sovereignty.
The children of killed soldiers would continue to be entitled to
free school books and precedence in getting accommodation in
student dorms, although property qualifications would be
introduced.
($1 = 8.37 kuna)
(hina) ha sb