Catholic charity Caritas said
Wednesday that Italy had an "army of poor" who "do not seem to
find responses" to their needs from the State.
In a report released on the international day for the
eradication of poverty, Caritas said the number of people in
absolute poverty in Italy is over five million, following a 182%
increase since the start of the economic crisis.
Caritas Italiana Director Francesco Soddu expressed
reservations about Deputy Premier and Labour and Industry
Minister Luigi Di Maio's assertion that the government would end
poverty in Italy when it brings in a 'citizenship wage' basic
income for job seekers.
"As Christians we have some trouble in thinking that you can
abolish poverty," Soddu said.
"Poverty is not just lack of income or work. It is isolation,
fragility, fear of the future.
"Giving a one-dimensional answer to a multi-dimensional
problem would be a simplification".
The Caritas report said the REI benefit for the poor
introduced by the previous centre-left government should not be
scrapped, but "broadened and improved".
President Sergio Mattarella also made an appeal on the day
for the eradication of poverty.
"In Italy cases of both absolute poverty and relative poverty
have increased," the head of State said.
"That's why it is indispensable to continue with policies to
support those who live in poverty or who are extremely
vulnerable to it".
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