In a press conference in St Anne’s Square, Sliema, Alternattiva Demokratika – The Green Party said that an increase in the minimum wage is essential for social development and a healthy economy. AD said that it will not betray workers’ interests in the upcoming general election.
Michael Briguglio, AD Chairperson and spokesperson for Economic Policy, said: “The economics of cheap labour is regressive and outdated. It is appalling that Labour has betrayed workers and joined the bandwagon of those who pessimistically predict that only low wages can enhance competitiveness. They fail to have confidence in workers’ contribution to the economy, both in terms of production and consumption”.
“Competitiveness is more likely to be influenced by a myriad of economic, political, social and ecological factors at national, regional and global levels.”
“An increase in the minimum wage would help improve the quality of life of the workers and increase spending power. Such an increase would also encourage more people to enter the formal labour market, making work pay, and enhancing productivity. This would curb inflationary pressures”.
“Well-paid workers, optimal use of natural resources such as sun and wind, and embracing technological change such as the IT revolution is what Malta’s economic vision should be all about, rather than cheap-labour economics of a bygone age”.
Angele Deguara, AD Spokesperson for Social Policy and Civil Rights added: “AD is the only party contesting the general elections which is for an increase in the minimum wage. We ally ourselves with trade unions like Forum, progressive organisations like Caritas, Zminijietna – Voice of the Left, Moviment Graffitti and economists like Lino Spiteri and Karm Farrugia. A minimum wage increase is essential to avoid increasing poverty. As things stand, many workers cannot cope with the cost of living”.
“The Green Party will surely not sell out to big business or betray workers’ interests. Indeed, our long held official position on the minimum wage is that it should increase and should be extended to part-time and contractual workers”.
“We are also proposing a realistic assessment of the cost of living adjustment in order that the yearly compensation truly reflects the rise in inflation. Hence, an updated methodology should replace the current one on which COLA is based”.
“AD’s manifesto will also include policies to help curb price hikes”.
Iz-zieda fil-Paga Minima hija Essenzjali – AD
F’konferenza stampa fil-pjazza Sant’Anna, Sliema, Alternattiva Demokratika – The Green Party qalet li zieda fil-paga minima hija essenzjali ghall-izvilupp socjali u ekonomija b’sahhitha. AD qalet li mhux se titradixxi l-interessi tal-haddiema fl-elezzjoni generali li jmiss.
Michael Briguglio, AD Chairperson u kelliem fuq il-politika ekonomika, qal: “L-ekonomija ibbazata fuq ix-xoghol bi dhul baxx hija regressiva u antikwata. Hija xokkanti kif il-Labour ittradixxa ‘l-haddiema u qabez fuq il-karru ma dawk il-pessimisti li jemmnu li l-pagi baxxi biss jistghu jtejjbu l-kompetittivita’. Dawn m’ghandhomx kunfidenza fil-kontribut tal-haddiema fl-ekonomija, kemm fil-produzzjoni kif ukoll fil-konsum.”
“Hija aktar probabbli li l-kompetittivita’ tigi influwenzata minn bosta fatturi ekonomici, politici, socjali u ekologici fuq livelli nazzjonali, regjonali u globali milli fuq fattur wiehed – bhal pagi baxxi.”
“Zieda fil-paga minima tghin biex ittejjeb il-kwalita’ tal-hajja tal-haddiema u biex izzid il-flus fl-idejn. Din tkun ukoll ta’ incentiv biex iktar persuni jahdmu formalment, ghax ikun jaqbillhom, u biex tizdied il-produttivita’. Dawn jghinu biex titrazzan il-pressjoni tal-inflazzjoni.”
“Il-vizjoni ekonomika ta’ pajjizna ghandha thares lejn haddiema b’paga xierqa, uzu ottimu ta-rizorsi naturali bhax-xemx u r-rih, u l-uzu tal-avvanzi teknologiki bhar-rivoluzzjoni fl-IT, u mhux lejn mudelli antikwati ibbazati fuq ic-‘cheap labour’.”
Angele Deguara, kelliema tal-AD fuq politika socjai u drittjiet civili, ziedet: “AD huwa l-uniku partit li se jikkontesta l-elezzjonijiet generali li jmiss li huwa favur iz-zieda fil-paga minimima. Ninghaqdu ma’ unjins bhal FOR.U.M., ghaqdiet progressivi bhall-Caritas, Zminijietna – Lehen ix-Xellug, Moviment Graffitti u anke ekonomisti bhal Lino Spiteri u Karm Farrugia. Zieda fil-paga minima hija essenzjali biex jitnaqqas il-faqar. Kif inhuma l-affarijiet, hafna haddiema ma jistghux ilahhqu mal-gholi tal-hajja.”
“Alternattiva Demokratika mhux se tbiegh ruhha lill-big business u mhux se titradixxi lill-haddiema. Tabilhaqq, il-pozizzjoni ufficjali taghna fuq il-paga minima hija li ghandha tizdied u li ghandha tigi estiza ghal haddiema part-time u haddiema b’kuntratt.”
“Ahna qeghdin ukoll nipproponu assessjar realistiku tal-aggustament tal-gholi tal-hajja sabiex il-kumpens annwali verament jirrifletti z-zieda fl-inflazzjoni. Ghalhekk, ghandu jkun hemm metodologija aggornata minflok dik li tezisti fil-prezent ghall-COLA.”
“Il-manifest tal-AD se jinkludi wkoll politika biex titrazzan l-gholi tal-hajja”.
