Constitutional Court to Review Social Benefit Cuts for Refusing Work

The Constitutional Court of Slovakia formally accepted a petition from opposition lawmakers challenging the constitutionality of rules that reduce social benefits for people who refuse job offers. The court agreed on Wednesday to hear the case regarding disputed provisions in the country's material need assistance law. The opposition MPs successfully argued that the benefit reduction rules warrant constitutional review. The case centers on whether cutting social assistance payments for individuals who decline work opportunities violates fundamental rights guaranteed by Slovakia's constitution. The Constitutional Court, which serves as the country's highest authority on constitutional matters, will now examine whether these social welfare provisions comply with constitutional principles.