Despite criticisms from the opposition, the Croatian parliament on Friday passed the Social Welfare Act, which is part of a set of seven laws aimed at reforming the system.

The opposition said the social welfare reform would fail and called out the government for centralising the system and failing to recognise its beneficiaries’ real needs.

The law was passed by 76 votes in favour, 39 against and one abstention.

Davorko Vidovic of the Social Democrats said this legislative framework would put a huge burden on social workers and asked Minister Josip Aladrovic how he planned to reform the system if the people who must carry out the reform were not on his side.

Ursa Gamulin-Raukar of the Green-Left Bloc said the social workers, the academic community and the beneficiaries had all spoken out against the set of reform laws.

The social welfare system is being dismantled, she said, adding that social workers work in difficult conditions and calling on the minister to pull the laws.

Nada Murganic of the ruling HDZ said the Social Welfare Act was aimed at reducing poverty by increasing allowances, notably for persons with disabilities, and that it expanded the circle of persons eligible for carer status.

Parliament also amended the Fostering Act, rejecting the left-wing opposition’s motions to include same-sex partners among those who can foster children.

Under the set of social welfare laws adopted today, 1.2 billion kuna will be allocated to the system over two years.