The Caritas report published on Tuesday is a reality check for all of us.
A very detailed and profound study is showing that a good number of families are no longer on the poverty line. They are poor.
It is very clear from this report that the national minimum wage is simply not enough. The report is exposing what many have known all along – the economy may be good for some but the effect is not trickling down where it is needed most.
“A Minimum Budget for a Decent Living” sets out to establish the basic minimum income needed by three family types to live adequately with no frills and fanciful luxuries. Sadly, all family types living on a minimum wage and/or allowances and benefits are short by approximately €2,000.
The study assumes that all “these families are healthy and don’t have dietary needs.” It also assumes that free public health services are available to these families.
This last assumption is critical. It might even be optimistic given the strong observations made by MAM, the doctors’ union, earlier this month. Those within this low income bracket and waiting for specialist appointments will not be able to afford to go privately and pay for tests. They will have to wait and sometimes waiting is not an option. Most health conditions become more complicated with time and this in turn will take its toll on the national health bill.
As for the bulk of the financial burden which these poor families have to face, food is the most problematic. Compared with a similar study in 2011, the families in the Caritas study are facing a 16% increase in the inflation rate of food.
This of course does not include food for people suffering from severe food allergies, like those who are coeliac (i.e. intolerant to the gluten protein found in flour-based products and many processed foods). Under the new Labour government these people have seen the support given by government go down drastically, from approximately €100 monthly to €30 – which is not enough to cover the costs of the daily gluten free bread rolls for a child’s school lunch for a month.
Of course, Joseph Muscat must be relieved that, for a change, we are not talking about the Panama Papers, Konrad Mizzi and Keith Schembri. However, the report puts him and his government in very bad light. After all, this is not what Muscat promised back in the day when he was Opposition leader.
On 20th December 2012, while visiting the Millennium Chapel in Paceville, Muscat had vowed and promised that a new Labour government would eradicate poverty. At the time he seemed shocked that 88,000 people were living at risk of poverty.
How does he feel now, when the number of people who can’t afford a decent living, and are therefore poor, has soared to 100,000?
How do these families feel about the €13,000 monthly salary for Sai Mizzi? The wheeling and dealing in millions within Castile? The hidden companies and bank accounts owned by Konrad Mizzi and Keith Schembri?
The next time Muscat boasts of how well the economy is doing, I hope he remembers these families and the promise he made.