Precarious Jobs: Government should regulate

Żminijietna – Voice of the Left appealed to the Government to introduce the necessary changes to the tendering process so that all employees are paid not less than the national minimum wage. Unions are recommending an hourly tendering rate of €7.50 for companies to have a safe margin within which to operate.
 
“Government should also legislate for an increase in the national minimum wage, equivalent to 60% of the median wage.  This will have a positive effect to alleviate workers with low income, the working poor, to live a better life”.
 
“Many of these workers are also employed on precarious conditions, mainly temporary and part-time basis. Government should legislate against precarious jobs, and employ these workers directly under public sector conditions. Local Councils should also abide by these regulations”, stated Żminijietna.

Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership is not democratically accountable

Żminijietna - Voice of the Left appealed to the Maltese Government and MEPs to oppose the continuation of the process leading to a Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP) between the EU and the USA, before this passes through democratic procedures within the EU.

“The TTIP can lead to lack of democratic accountability on various areas related to social, educational, environmental, cultural and economic policy, and this can lead to the dominance of commercial interests on various public and essential services”.

“Before proceeding further, the TTIP should be subject to an impact assessment, a democratic debate within the European Parliament and civil society, and should be subject to a referendum”. 

“Together with leftist, social and environmental movements around Europe, we are opposing what is being proposed in the TTIP as this can lead to lower standards to the detriment of public health, public safety, workers’ and consumers’ rights and environmental protection”.

“We insist that the TTIP should not transfer regulatory competence from democratic institutions to unelected technocratic institutions. Liberalisation of public services such as health, water, culture, social services and education should not be allowed. We also oppose having less autonomy for local cultural productions, educational activities and localised policies”.

Press Release 31/3/14

“Child Supplement scheme should not lead to more conditional welfare” - Żminijietna

Żminijietna - Voice of the Left welcomed the Child Supplement Scheme which was recently announced by the Government.

"It is positive that the Labour Government has introduced a supplement which gives some comfort to low-income families. However, we augur that conditional welfare is the exception, and not the norm, in welfare delivery. This is because such welfare can be stigmatizing and can help foster prejudice and myths on so-called 'dysfunctional families' and the 'underclass'.

"On the other hand, unconditional universalistic welfare is distributed as a social right to compensate for hardship and inequality caused by contemporary capitalism. Welfare such as children's allowance should not be subject to such conditionality".

In its 15 proposals to the Government to combat poverty and social exclusion, Żminijietna had included proposals such as in increase in the minimum wage, realistic COLA reform, clear legislation against precarious employment and children's universal access to state services in areas such as education, culture and sports.

Żminijietna's proposals can be read here:
http://zminijietna.blogspot.com/2014/02/green-paper-on-poverty-and-social.html

Press Release 25-3-14

Energy production should remain under State control - Żminijietna

Żminijietna - Voice of the Left expressed its disagreement with the privatisation of Enemalta facilities which produce energy.

"Whilst we accept the fact that the Labour Government has a mandate to shift Malta's main source of energy to gas, we cannot accept the Government's proposal to privatise energy production facilities. This will mean that the State will only control the distribution aspect of Enemalta, rendering the country dependent on energy oligarchs".

"The way forward for energy production should ensure that the State plays the leading role in the production and distribution of energy, and that renewable energy sources should be given increased importance. This will help ensure that Malta is as sovereign as possible in the production of energy. Such a way forward can also take place with the involvement of other Governments and companies, but not to the detriment of State control on energy production. Energy through interconnector should be considered as a backup, but not as a prime source of energy as this can bring about dependency". 

"Unfortunately, various criticisms of Government's plans are not admitting that even a gas pipeline will render Malta dependent on energy oligarchs".

Press Release 18th March 2014

GMOs - European Commission is ignoring European citizens

Żminijietna – Voice of the Left criticized the position taken recently by EU Commissioner, Dr Tonio Borg, in giving the green light for the cultivation of GMO crops (TC 1507 corn from the US firm DuPont Pioneer) in Europe. The Commission had already approved TC1507 for import in November 2005 and five months later approved it for human consumption. This last approval will allow for its cultivation, despite the ecological risks it entails, which can be avoided through sustainable methods of agriculture”.

“This position literally ignored all those against this proposal, which included the European Parliament, the majority of European Member States (19 in all), environmental, social and progressive movements and 80% of citizens who do not want GMOs in Europe - (ref http://ec.europa.eu/public_opinion/archives/ebs/ebs_341_en.pdf”.

“We also welcome the vote against by Malta, together with Austria, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Denmark, France, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Poland, Romania, Slovakia, and Slovenia”. 

Żminijietna – Voice of the Left appeals upon the Maltese Government and Maltese MEPs to further campaign for a Social and Ecological Europe – Free from GMOs.  


Press Release 14-3-14

Risk Analysis for Gas Storage Required – Żminijietna

Żminijietna - Voice of the Left said that a comprehensive risk analysis on gas storage at Marsaxklokk should be carried out. The NGO added that such risk analyses should be mainstream in Maltese policy-making to cover  areas such as energy storage and distribution, and presence of warships.

"We support ENGOs and residents' concern on the need for a comprehensive risk analysis at Marsaxlokk. This should be carried out through a multidisciplinary approach so as to ensure that the transition towards gas, for which the Government has an electoral mandate, is carried out as safely as possible. In this respect we note that all energy options have risks and that partisan populism is not helping tackle the matter seriously".

"Żminijietna reiterates that the State should play a leading role in the provision and distrubution of energy, and that Malta's energy policy should also give priority to the need for increased renewable energy sources. This will help decrease dependency on energy big-business and will help ensure a sustainable transition".

Green Paper on Poverty and Social Exclusion - Żminijietna's reactions

Żminijietna - Voice of the Left submitted 15 proposals to the Government in connection with the Green Paper on Poverty and Social Exclusion.

"It is positive that the Government is recognising that poverty and social exclusion have various dimensions, that holistic policies are required for growing problems, and that the State has responsibility in this regard".

"Malta should look towards a social model based on a universal welfare that gives importance to to particular challenges and diversities in relation to poverty and social exclusion. Discourse on inequality cannot exclude factors related to social class and should not give the impression that there is no alternative to neo-liberal ideology".

"Żminijietna's proposals deal with a need for increase in the minimum wage and reform in COLA to reflect the cost of living; legislation against precarious employment; active policy measures within a context of universal welfare; action against energy poverty and in favour of green jobs; inclusive policies on disability; decent pensions; equality amongst children; progressive fiscal policy; a maximum wage in the public sector; integration and social justice in relation to immigration; increased consultation with civil society; official discourse that promotes social justice rather than neo liberalism; a structured debate on the introduction of a universal basic income; increased investment in preventive health and egalitarian health policies; and a one-stop shop to assist people experiencing imminent crises"

Żminijietna's document is found beneath this press release.

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Green paper ghal struttura ghal tnaqqis fil-faqar u ghal inkluzoni socjali

 

Reazzjoni Zminijietna Lehen ix-Xellug

 

Frar 2014

Zminijietna Lehen ix-Xellug tawgura lill-Gvern li qed iniedi process ta’ konsultazzjoni dwar il-green paper ghal struttura ghal tnaqqis fil-faqar u ghal inkluzoni socjali.  Huwa pozittiv li l-Gvern qed jirrikonoxxi li hemm dimensjonijiet varji tal-faqar u eskluzjoni socjali u li dawn jehtiegu politika olistika ghal problema li qed tikber. Huwa pozittiv ukoll li l-Gvern qed jirikonoxxi li l-Istat ghandu responsabilita’ li permezz ta’ politika socjali jista’ jikkumbatti dawn l-isfidi, u li ser jidhlu bosta mizuri f’dan ir-rigward, kif gew imhabbra fil-bagit 2014.

 

Zminijietna Lehen ix-Xellug temmen li Malta ghandha thares lejn mudell socjali li hu mibni fuq welfare state universalista’ li jaghti l-importanza xierqa lil sfidi partikolari u lid-diversitajiet li jezistu fil-faqar u fl-eskluzzjoni socjali. Zminijietna temmen ukoll li diskors dwar l-inguwaljanza ma jistax ihalli barra fatturi relatati ma’ klassi socjali u lanqas ma jista’ jirraguna li ma hemmx alternattivi ghal politika neo-liberali u kuncetti bhall-privatizazzjoni.

 

Zminijietna Lehen ix-Xellug qed taghmel dawn il-proposti ghal struttura ghal tnaqqis fil-faqar u ghal inkluzjoni socjali f’Malta

1. Zieda fil-paga minima u riforma fil-COLA biex tirrifleti l-gholi tal-hajja. Din ghandha tkopri lill-haddiema kollha, full-time, part-time u kuntrattwali, u tista’ twassal ghal livell ta’ ghejxien ahjar ghal haddiema b’paga baxxa, partecipazzjoni ikbar fis-suq tax-xoghol peress li x-xoghol ikun iktar irendi u  iktar produttivita’.

 

2. Ligi kontra x-xoghol prekarju. Ghandu jkun hemm definizzjoni cara ta’ xoghol prekarju biex b’hekk tidhol fis-sehh leglizlazzjoni kontra dan it-tip ta’ xoghol u favur xoghol dicenti.

 

3. Active policy measures fi sfond ta’ welfare universali. Filwaqt li hu tajjeb li jkun hemm skemi ta’ tahrig, tapering ta’ beneficcji socjali sabiex jinkoragixxu lill-persuni biex isibu mpieg minghajr ma jiehdu skoss permezz ta’ telf  ta’ benefficji socjali, dan m’ghandux iwassal ghal welfare kundizzjonali u tnaqqis ta’ welfare universali. Dan ta’ l-ahhar ghandu jitqies bhala kumpens ghal inugwaljanzi u diffikultajiet li ggib maghha sistema kapitalista, u bhala dhul xieraq li jizgura li ma jkunx hemm nies fil-faqar.

 

4. Glieda kontra l-faqar relatat mal-konsum ta’ l-energija u favur il-green jobs. L-istat ghandu jizgura mhux biss li l-kontijiet tad-dawl, ilma u gass ikunu affodabbli, izda ukoll li jizdied l-access ghall-energija nadifa u rinnovabbli b’ghajnuna ta’ l-istat u ppjanar li jzid l-access f’binjiet. Sfidi ambjentali u ta’ energija ghandhom jitqiesu bhala opportunita’ ta’ holqien ta’ green jobs u sostenibilita’. L-istat ghandu jkollu rwol ewlieni fil-produzzjoni u distribuzzjoni ta’ l-energija.

 

5. Politka inklussiva dwar dizabilita’. Ghandu jkun hemm politika li tirrikonixxi id-diversita’ ta’ dizabilitajiet, biex b’hekk tinkoragixxi independent living, impieg u/jew harsien socjali skond il-persuna, sabiex kulhadd ikollu kwalita’ ta’ hajja tajba garantita. Il-kunsilli lokali ghandhom jigu obbligati li jimpjegaw persuni b’dizabilita’ fost il-haddiema taghhom.

 

6. Penzjoni dicenti. Malta ghandha tersaq lejn penzjoni universali ghal kull penzjonant sabiex jonqsu l-inugwaljanzi ta’ klassi socjali u l-faqar. L-istat m’ghandux jabdiga mir-responsabilita’ li jipprovi din it-tip ta’ penzjoni.  Haddiema anzjani m’ghandhomx jigu meqjusa bhala piz fuq l-ekonomija u jigu ddiskriminati, izda ghandhom jithallew jahdmu jekk huma jixtiequ jaghmlu dan, filwaqt li jibqghu igawdu penzjoni shiha.

 

7. Ugwaljanza fost it-tfal. Ghandha tissahhah l-edukazzjoni komprensiva, li filwaqt li tirikonoxxi li tfal jista’ jkollhom hiliet u interessi differenti, m’ghandhomx jigu segregati b’mod klassist. Ghandu jigi zgurat ukoll li t-tfal kollha jkollhom id-dritt ta’ access universali ghall-attivitajiet kulturali, muzikali, sportivi u edukattivi offruti mill-istat.

 

8. Taxxi progressivi. Il-Gvern ghandu jerga’ jintroduci taxxa fuq id-dhul ta’ 35% ghal min ghandu paga gholja. Din ir-rata hija wahda mill-iktar baxxi fl-Ewropa u ma xxekilx l-investiment jew l-inizjattiva. Id-dhul iggenerat ghandu jintuza biex jiffinanzjaw nefqa pubblika tal-Gvern, li b’hekk tkun fuq sisien sostenibbli, specjalment f’dak li ghandu x’jaqsam ma’ nefqa rikurrenti.

 

9. Paga massima fis-settur pubbliku. Il-Gvern m’ghandux izid l-inguwaljanzi fis-settur pubbliku billi jaghti pagi astronomici, fejn hemm min sahansitra qed ikollu iktar minn zewg pagi full-time ta’ xoghol u konsulenzi li jaghmel fis-settur pubbliku.

 

10. Integrazzjoni u gustizzja socjali fl-immigrazzjoni. Ghandu jkun hemm iktar infurzar tal-ligi kontra min qed jisfrutta’ lill-immigranti irregolari ghal xoghol, u ghandu jkun hemm politika iktar socjalment gusta fuq livell nazzjonali u Ewropew favur integrazzjoni u kontra d-detenzjoni u pushbacks.

 

11. Hidma ikbar mas-socjeta’ civili. Ghandu jkun hemm iktar konsultazzjoni ma’ ghaqdiet non-governattivi, ricerkaturi u esperti f’oqsma varji tas-socjeta’ civili. Fost ohrajn, ghandu jigi zgurat li jkun hemm iktar konsultazzjoni ma’ ricerka li ssir fl-Universita’ ta’ Malta.

 

12. Gustizzja socjali u mhux diskors neoliberali u ta’ l-underclass. L-istat ghandu jahdem ghal mudell socjali ibbazat fuq gustizzja socjali, ugwaljanza, accessibilita’ u inkluzjoni. Ghalhekk diskors ufficjali li jhares lejn persuni foqra bhala kazijiet ta’ individwi li jgibu ruhhom hazin u li huma hatja tal-faqar taghom ghandu jigi evitat. Ghandu jigi evitat ukoll diskors ufficjali li jsostni li m’hemmx alternattivi sostenibbli ghall-privatizazzjoni ta’ servizzi pubblici.

 

13.  Diskussjoni strutturata dwar l-introduzzjoni ta’ dhul minimu garantit ghal kulhadd, sabiex hadd ma jghix fil-faqar filwaqt li ma tinqatax l-inizjattiva ghal min irid jidhol fis-suq tax-xoghol. Is-sistema tal-welfare tkun issimplifikata u l-ispejjez socjali relatati ma’ faqar jinghelbu.

 

14. Investiment ikbar fis-sahha priventiva u politika kontra inguwaljanza ta’ klassi fis-settur tas-sahha. Il-Gvern m’ghandux jippermetti li min ghandu access ghal insurances u konsultenti privati jinghata preferenza ghal access fis-settur pubbliku tas-sahha.

 

15. One-stop shop ghal persuni fi krizi imminenti. Il-Gvern ghandu jiffacilita’ l-access ghal ghajnuna socjali lil min ghandu emergenza ta’ faqar u/jew eskluzoni socjali bhal persuni li jinsabu bla saqaf, eks-habsin, immigrant irregolari u persuni li jesperjenzaw faqar ghall-ewwel darba minhabba emergenza bhal mard serju.