Original scientific paper
https://doi.org/10.3935/rsp.v4i3.383
Market Transformation in Croatia and Changes in the System of Social SecuritY and Social Assistence
Zoran Šućur
; Studijski centar socijalnog rada, Pravni fakultet Sveučilišta u Zagrebu
Abstract
In this paper, the author analyses the changes within the social sector caused by transition and globalisation. The emphasis is placed on the social assistance system. The social sector has so far been offering most resistance to the demands of the reform. However, changes in the social security system have become inevitable for two main reasons: (1) the economic transformation (bringing along an increase in unemployment, poverty and economic differentiation; (2) the globalisation process that has not skipped Croatia. Therefore, the countries in transition must change or abolish some socially protective arrangements. The new social security model needs to be adjusted to a market economy. The author also points to the consequences of the transition from a "welfare state" to a "workfare state".The paper also offers an analysis of the relation between social assistance and work motivation or employment. The author regards critically to the viewpoints that only highlight the negative sides of social assistance. The paper then examines the characteristics of a sample of social assistance users, closely related to working activity and opportunities on the labour market (the used data are taken from a Survey on the Labour Force carried out in 1996 in Croatia).A number of social measures are proposed that ought to contribute to the strengthening of market principles: the introduction of targeted social transfers, a tighter connection between employment programmes and social assistance programmes, and the differentiation or levelling of social transfers. The author's basic conclusion is that social assistance programmes need to be shaped in such a way as to reach those who need government assistance most. It means that in the conditions of economic differentiation, the targeted and means-tested programmes ought to be given priority over the universal compensation because they are more cost-effective.
Keywords
Hrčak ID:
29890
URI
Publication date:
1.3.1997.
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