Montenegro is seeking a solution to prevent further delays in subsidies paid to employers who employ people with disabilities, after the Fund for Professional Rehabilitation and Employment of Persons with Disabilities exhausted the amount originally allocated for the entire year.
By 7 July, almost €26 million had already been spent on the subsidies, exceeding the €25.8 million budgeted for the whole of 2026. The sharp increase in applications and subsidy payments has prompted the Fund and the Ministry of Finance to consider additional budgetary and legal mechanisms to ensure that payments can continue.
The issue has also raised concerns among disability rights activists, who argue that the funding shortfall should not affect people with disabilities seeking to participate in the labour market. Civil society organisations have also called for stronger monitoring of the scheme and action against any employers found to be abusing the subsidy system. At the same time, MPs and disability rights advocates stressed that any irregularities should be addressed directly, rather than allowing people with disabilities to bear the consequences of inadequate oversight.
The government now faces the task of securing additional funding while ensuring that the subsidy programme continues to support the employment and professional rehabilitation of people with disabilities.
