The recent comments by the Chamber of Commerce strengthen AD’s resolve in its call for an immediate revision of the minimum wage. Currently the minimum wage which is essentially a social wage which just ensures that people are kept in poverty.
Robert Callus, AD Spokesperson on Social Policy, said: “AD is concerned about such statements which put competitiveness above all else. Cheap labour economics are outdated. Claims that cheap labour will enhance competitiveness seem to forget that competitiveness may be influenced by various social, economic, political and environmental factors on various levels. On the other hand, an increase in the minimum wage would help improve the quality of life of workers and increase their spending power. Such an increase would also encourage more people to enter the formal labour market, making work pay and enhancing productivity.”
Arnold Cassola, AD Chairperson, said: “AD is the only party which has consistently called for a revision of the minimum wage because as studies such as those of Caritas (2012) have shown, a minimum wage increase is essential for alleviating, if not solving, the problem of poverty. AD appreciates that the Ministry for Social Policy is working on addressing the issue. However, Minister Coleiro Preca has, so far, avoided committing herself to seriously consider increasing the minimum wage. Let us not put the interests of industry before the interest of human beings. There are various ways in which competitiveness may be enhanced, such as investment in alternative energy and in progressive technology. Cheap labour is not the solution.”
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Fil-kuntest tal-kummenti riċenti mill-Kamra tal-Kummerċ dwar il-possibilita ta’ żieda fil-paga minima, AD tkompli tisħaq dwar l-importanza li l-paga minima tiġi reveduta. Il-paga minima hija paga soċjali li tibqa’ żżomm lil dawk li jirċevuha fil-faqar. Haga inaccettabbli.
Robert Callus, il-Kelliem ta’ AD għall-Politika Soċjali, qal: “AD tinsab imħassba dwar kummenti bħal dawn li jpoġġu l-kompetitivita` qabel kollox. L-ekonomija taċ-‘cheap labour’ hija ekonomija skaduta u antikwata. Dawk li jsostnu li l-pagi baxxi iżidu l-kompetittivita` donnhom qed jinsew li l-kompetitivita` tista tiġi influenzata minn diversi fatturi soċjali, ekonomiċi, politiċi u ambjentali fuq livelli differenti. Min-naħa l-oħra, żieda fil-paga minima tgħin biex ittejjeb il-kwalita` tal-ħajja tal-ħaddiema u żżidilhom il-flus f’idejhom. Żieda fil-paga minima tħajjar aktar nies biex jidħlu fis-suq tax-xogħol b’mod formali għax ikun jaqblilhom li jaħdmu u kif ukoll biex iżżid il-produttivita`.”
Arnold Cassola, iċ-Chairperson ta’ AD, qal: “AD huwa l-uniku partit li konsistentement sejjaħ għal reviżjoni tal-paga minima għaliex kif urew studji, fosthom dawk tal-Caritas (2012), żieda fil-paga minima hija essenzjali biex tnaqqas, jekk ma ssolvix, il-problema tal-faqar. AD taprezza li l-Ministeru tal-Politika Soċjali qed jaħdem biex jindirizza din il-problema. Iżda, s’issa l-Ministru Coleiro Preca għadha ma kkommettietx ruħha li ser tikkunsidra bis-serjeta` żieda fil-paga minima. Ejjew ma npoġġux l-interess tal-industrija qabel l-interess tal-persuni umani. Hemm diversi modi kif il-kompetitivita` tista’ tiżdied, bħal investiment f’enerġija alternattiva u teknoloġija progressiva. Iċ-‘cheap labour’ mhux is-soluzzjoni.”
