Daily: Minister Backs Special Needs Groups, Threatens Resignation
Minister of Social Protection Helmen Kütt of the Social Democrats has allegedly said that if amendments to the work ability reform do not pass, she might be forced to resign.
Minister Kütt has expressed her support to the special needs groups who are protesting against the current form of the work ability reform and pushing amendments. The bill is meant to relieve some of the pressure on the pension system and encourage the employment of people with limited ability to work, but which the opponents say is rushed and not helpful enough, reports Eesti Päevaleht.
Kütt's position is in opposition with that of Urmas Kruuse, the Minister of Heath and Labor, with whom Kütt shares the Ministry of Social Affairs. According to Kruuse, the act is now very much agreed upon and the changes would be of a cosmetic nature.
Kütt has reportedly said that she will not bow down to Reform Party's pressure to go through with a reform that she thinks does not offer necessary solutions to people in need, the paper reported.
Her resignation would mean trouble for the coalition.
Kütt has not confirmed the reports of possible resignation but did tell Eesti Päevaleht that she would not hesitate to do it if it helped to solve the problems with the reform.