Press Release: Budget 2016 should address Social Inequality - Żminijietna

English/Maltese Version

Press Release: Budget 2016 should address Social Inequality - Żminijietna

Żminijietna - Voice of the Left appealed to the Government to tackle social inequality in the upcoming budget by strengthening social measures and moving away from neo-liberal policy which increases inequality.

"Official statistics show that Malta is experiencing increased economic growth, but is also increasing an increase in number of people at risk-of-poverty. Hence, an improved economic situation does not necessarily translate in more social equality".

"We therefore urge the Government to increase measures that tackle poverty, inequality and precariousness. These include an increase in the minimum wage; progressive legislation against precarious employment; and upward revisions in social benefits to help those in need".

"We agree with active policies which encourage people to seek employment, but these should not be at the expense of universal welfare benefits, which often protect people from falling into poverty".

"We also appeal to the Government to keep investing in progressive measures such as universally accessible childcare services - which should also be available for free for parents not in employment, pre and after school services for children, lifelong training programmes and more universal educational services".

"As regards fiscal policy, we appeal to the Government to introduce radical measures, such as tax on vacant properties (third property onwards) and the polluters pay principle. We also expect the Government to announce policies which ensure that all pensioners have a decent income".

"With regards to Health, Żminijietna urges the Government to invest more; to strengthen the primary health care system; an increase in staff and services provided in the community, hospitals and clinics".

Public Transport: The signed agreement is in violation of European laws on health and safety.

Press Release:

Public Transport: The signed agreement is in violation of European laws on health and safety.

Whilst Żminijietna – Voice of the Left is satisfied that an agreement between public transport workers and ALESA has been reached, it asks the Government to further consider the importance of working conditions.

Żminijietna said that "the agreement reached between the Government and the Spanish company Autobuses de Leon/ALESA has completely disregarded various European legislation regulating bus drivers' working conditions. In fact, EU Regulation (EC) 561/2006, which deals specifically with bus drivers, stipulates that they should have a minimum break of 45 minutes - a 15 minute break after the first four and a half hours of driving, and a further half an hour break after the second such period."

"At heart, this is an issue of health and safety for both the drivers concerned as well as their passengers. It should thus have been included in the package negotiated between the Government and the company."

Press Release: Compulsory sex education should be a priority

Żminijietna – Voice of the Left supports the European Parliament Resolution on the report, Empowering Girls through Education in the EU. This is a major step towards gender equality.

“The report stresses that education is an important tool for enabling women to participate fully in society. The report stresses that poverty is the biggest obstacle preventing girls from education and gender equality. Also that those girls who are not allowed to go to school are more exposed to domestic violence”.

“Further on, the report encourages member states to promote gender equality in their comprehensive sex and relationship programs and to consider making these programs compulsory in their school curricula for all primary and secondary school children and training teachers. The report also calls on the Commission to support the inclusion of objective information on LGBTi issues in school curricula”.      

Żminjietna said that “compulsory sex education will contribute to public health priorities such as reducing unplanned pregnancies and prevention and early treatment of sexually transmitted infections. Given the fact, that teenage pregnancies rates in Malta have been growing, the recommendations in the report are a step forward towards addressing this problem.

Żminijietna supports the new maternity leave trust fund/Żminijietna tappoġġja t-twaqqif ta’ fond għall-lif tal-maternita.

Press Release: 
Żminijietna supports the new maternity leave trust fund

Żminijietna – Voice of the Left agrees with the institution of a ‘Maternity Leave Trust Fund’, as this would strengthen the sustainability of public finances, and contribute to gender equality at the workplace.

It is Żminijietna's belief that the separation of the gender of one's employees and the obligation to contribute to Maternity Leave is positive, helping to safeguard the provision of such leave as well as eliminating a disincentive to the employment of women. 

"The skeptical position taken by the Malta Employers' Association was to be expected in a politico-economic climate where the cutting of labour costs and the elimination of the social welfare safety net is part of a socially destructive neo-liberal agenda". 

Żminijietna has always believed that more progressive policies should form part of Malta’s economic and social policies, and perhaps this Fund is a hint of change to come.”

Żminijietna supports the introduction of a Public Domain Bill/Żminijietna tappoġġja l-introduzzjoni ta’ liġi li tħares żoni u postijiet pubbliċi

Press Release: Żminijietna supports the introduction of a Public Domain Bill.

Żminijietna – Voice of the Left welcomes the proposal brought forward by the Nationalist Party for the introduction in Malta’s Law of a Public Domain Bill.

Żminijietna said that “such proposal, if backed by Parliament, will toughen protection of sites of natural and historical importance against speculation, inappropriate use and neglect”.

“The aim of this proposal should be to strengthen protection, transparency and sustainability in the use of public building and land. A more open public consultation with different sectors of society and the public in general should be the core of this proposal”.

Zminijietna calls for decent working conditions/Żminijietna tappella għall-kundizzjonijiet diċenti tax-xogħol

Press Release: Zminijietna calls for decent working conditions

“Reforms in Malta Public Transport and Malta International Airport should not lead to precarious conditions and reduction in wages.  Lowering of payment/hourly rate for services carried out by part-time loaders at Air Malta is condemnable. These workers are already experiencing job insecurity and stress”, stated Żminijietna – Voice of the Left.

“With regards to Public Transport, Żminijietna urges Malta Transport Authority to make sure that all public transport workers are paid a decent wage. The service should not be operated by workers with inferior working conditions. Żminijietna also calls upon the workers to stop this non-sense behaviour and work towards solidarity.

New University welcomed, but alternative site required/Universita ġdida mfaħħra, imma teħtieġ sit alternattiv

Zminijietna Voice of the Left welcomed the agreement between the Government of Malta and Jordanian investor for the setting up of a branch of the American De Paul University in Malta, but appealed for another site to be found for the development.

"The setting up of the De Paul University is a welcome investment which can have a positive economic and educational contribution. It can also provide new opportunities for students and workers in the field. We support the proposal to have Malta act as an educational hub".

"On the other hand we appeal to the Government to consider other sites for the development of the University, preferably not in an ODZ area. This requires comprehensive and holistic studies and impact assessments which take into consideration educational, economic, social, environmental, traffic and architectural concerns, amongst others".