Partit Demokratiku, Malta's third party, with two elected members of parliament, is dead set against the proposal put forward by Malta's Employer Association that of removing the first day of paid sick leave.

In a statement, PD said it deplored the fact that profit is being put before the workers of this country who have built the country's economy through their sweat. PD believes in workers' rights and in protecting them.

Partit Demokratiku said that before the election, workers were also promised by the Labour Party, now in government, of getting back public holidays that fall on weekend as extra leave days. Public holidays that fall on weekend were removed during a time when the world was experiencing a financial crisis. Now that we are ‘in the best of times’; it should not be a problem to be able to give back the workers what is due to them. 

Partit Demokratiku also pointed out that the rise in rents did not slow down nor does it look like its going to slow down. Those on minimum wage are struggling to make ends meet, PD is still of the opinion that Alleanza Kontra l-Faqar’s proposal of the 10% increase in minimum wage is the only way to mitigate the rise in rents and in cost of living, in such a way that low income earners could lead a decent life without risking poverty and move forward towards a living wage. 

In the forthcoming budget it should not be difficult for the government to follow up on its electoral promises, and give the workers what is due to them. Partit Demokratiku expects the government to deliver on these promises.