The government's latest initiative aims to get people off benefits.
The Green Party has criticized the new policy as "shallow" and ineffective in addressing poverty. According to Social Development Spokesperson Ricardo Menéndez March, the policy fails to address core drivers of poverty such as low incomes, inadequate housing, and lack of employment opportunities.
Menéndez March argues that benefit levels are below the poverty line and creating toxic stress for families. He claims that increasing unemployment was a deliberate strategy by the government to lower inflation. The Green Party suggests that guaranteeing liveable incomes is essential to enable people to participate in their communities with dignity.
Instead of relying on Work and Income staff check-ins, Menéndez March advocates for a guaranteed minimum income, paid for by a fairer tax system. He believes this approach would build resilience and opportunity, rather than perpetuating cycles of hardship and widening inequality. The Green Party has repeatedly called for a new approach to addressing poverty, citing the failure of previous governments' policies to make a meaningful impact.