All collective agreements for Air Malta staff must be concluded and come into effect by the begining of next year, Prime Minister Joseph Muscat said in Parliament today. This is being done so that talks can start with potential strategic partners with the staff certain of their future.

The Prime Minister said that he is convinced that the government will manage to salvage the national airline. "Air Malta will make the necessary changes before moving on to find a strategic partner. We are being very clear that before finding a partner, the agreements with its workers have to be concluded." He said that the company will grow with more destinations. "For this process to be successful, there needs to be an agreement with every stakeholder in the sector." 

He said that there was an agreement which was already reached in August this year but the government wants to go further and increase the salary of Air Malta workers. 

"We will offer retirement schemes for all, across the board. We believe that nothing will hinder the progress in the national airline. The public is the largest stakeholder in this company." 

Prime Minister Joseph Muscat was one of the few members of parliament who did not focus his speech on the murder of Daphne Caruana Galizia, explaining that he did not want to repeat what he already stated last week. Instead he focused his speech to announce a number of measures aimed at helping persons with disability.

Muscat explained that back in 2012, the number of persons with disability involved in the employment sector amounted to 1,750. He said that now, through several measures introduced by this government, this number has been almost doubled with the number now increased to 2,560. 

Last year the government started a process by which persons with severe disability get further financial help from the government, he explained. "We understand that despite our efforts, there are a number of individuals who simply cannot physically go out and work. That is why we increased the benefit for severe disability to €120 euros per week." He then announced that this benefit will increase with another €20 euros, adding up to € 140 euros per week. 

Muscat also announced that the Barthel index, which measures the level of disability of an individual, will be extended from 0 to 4, to 0 to 8. This means that more people will be able to benefit from the severe disability bonus.

He went on to announce that the government will be giving full invalidity pension to persons who are terminally ill. The measure will be introduced next year. This will mean an increase of an average €140 euros each week. 

Muscat said that the measures introduced in the budget means that the average worker will get an additional €6.50 per week. He said that those on minimum wage will get the highest tax rebate, some €86 euros together with a bonus.