Tuesday, October 18, 2016

Budget: A step forward but more have to be done to address Poverty



The Communist Party of Malta views as a step forward the number of measures introduced in this budget with the aim to assist more, those pensioners on low income, persons with disability and workers on a minimum wage income.

“Regards adequacy of the national minimum wage and the national basic pension, still the budget lacks to address this precarious situation, where many will still be at-risk-of poverty.  Adequacy of the minimum wage demands a fair increase in the national minimum wage income. With regards to basic pension, for this to mature, the number of years involved should be reduced. In 20 years time the basic pension will again become inadequate”.


“With regards to measures, to assists those in need of financial assistance to be able to pay their rent for their accommodation, the party agree in principle, but other measures should have been introduced to curb the speculation with regards to rent fees, as prices will keep on increasing”.       

Communist Party of Malta - Budget should target poverty and social exclusion.


The Communist Party of Malta states that “the government should introduce measures in the coming budget that benefit mostly those in needs, such as, the people in the lower strata of society, the minimum wage earners, pensioners and single parent families”.  

The party added that “poverty is a social and economic issue, and thus a rise in the national minimum wage income should be a must, irrespective of the COLA increase. Other measures should include adjustment in the mechanism of COLA”.

“Also the government should start implementing housing reforms to help those in need in society. As things stand, with the rise in property prices and non affordable rent bills, adding also an unstable situation for workers with precarious employment and low wages,

“With regards to pensioners,  the most important aspect against poverty is the adequacy of the pension system.  The party appeals to the government to revise its policy for the national minimum pension is brought about within a shorter time period , and not as proposed on a twenty years time period”.

“Single parent families, with the majority being of female gender are also facing economical and poverty problems. Many, due to family responsibilities and commitments are opting for a part-time employment, thus working on low-pay. Thus the Government should assist financially those earning less than the minimum wage”.

The Government should also start to eradicate the abusive working conditions immigrants are facing in their daily life. The proposal, to open job centers to assist immigrants to seek job and at the same time aim legislation for decent working conditions
 should be implemented”.



Communists speak out against the part-privatisation of AirMalta


 
The Communist Party of Malta appeals to Parliament to not push forward the part-privatisation of Airmalta be it by selling shares to a foreign company or to local businessmen. The Government should safeguard the country’s state-owned assets.
 
“Other measures should be found in this regard, such as the setting up of a ‘public’ company to register part of the present workforce under this new company.  Government should also consider opening up of new subsidiary companies in the tourism sector that will be connected to the mother company AirMalta, so to assist financially the national airline". 
 
“Also the Government should consider buying 40% of the total shares of Malta International Airport, a fully privatised entity. The privatisation of MIA  has resulted in massive loss to AirMalta’s revenue.