The Request alleges that there was no information disclosing that the Public Sector Efficiency and Green Recovery program (the “Project”) was supported by the Bank. It states that the Bank funded the establishment of the Social Card Register in 2021 without due diligence “to identify potential human rights risks and put in place adequate mitigation measures.”
The Request alleges that the Social Card Register, has negatively impacted over 44,000 people, many of whom are vulnerable citizens from the Roma community. It states that the Register has resulted in the loss of financial benefits due to errors in the income classification (including from seasonal work, donation and inheritance) and calculation. The Request claims that the Social Cards register uses inaccurate government data taken from a range of sources. It also alleges that the available appeal system is not suitable because it does not provide complainants with an opportunity to include evidence substantiating their rights to the lost benefits.
The Request further alleges that the Social Card Register is in contradiction with national law and human rights approach to data. It claims that the Register lacks transparency as the algorithm used to determine whether beneficiaries meet the criteria for financial assistance, is not publicly available. It also claims that, because of the range of data collected, their rights to privacy are being violated.
As part of its due diligence, the Panel met with some of the Requesters on April 26, 2024, and May 7, 2024 to better understand their claims, seek clarifications, and inform them about the Panel’s process and mandate. The Panel also met with Management on May 7, 2024, that provided a summary of the program and its views of the issues raised in the Request. On August 15, the Panel received documentation evidencing that the Requesters met with Management and Management had an opportunity to respond to their claims. The Requesters informed the Panel that they would like to proceed with the Panel’s process. The Panel is satisfied that all the admissibility requirements for registration are now met.
The Panel registered the Request on August 27, 2024.
