The Malta Labour Party wants to encourage more participation in life on the part of the elderly by investing in both financial and human resources, said Opposition Leader Alfred Sant yesterday.

Speaking during a meeting with the Pensioners’ Group within the General Workers Union, Dr Sant gave details of the MLP’s position paper on the

elderly.

He said it was positive that the number of elderly people in society was increasing, but added that this brings its own challenges in the form of additional health care in order to enable them to enjoy a good quality of life.

Pensioners’ group spokesman George Agius said the MLP position paper was a good one and would benefit elderly people now and in the future.

He also proposed that, when elected to office, an MLP government should set up a ministry or parliamentary secretariat for the elderly, which would incorporate pensioners’ organisations.

The group also proposed additional police foot patrols and an increase in basic pensions to enable more elderly people to live at home rather than becoming a financial burden by going into residential care – which, it said, was far more expensive.

Mr Agius also asked that pensioners be given the full cost of living increase and that the pensioners’ card be updated to allow discounts for elderly people, particularly for water and electricity.

The group also proposed that the portion of the pension taken by government for those in residential care at St Vincent de Paule be reduced to 60 per cent from the current 80 per cent rate.

The MLP also met a delegation from the MUT yesterday to discuss the same position paper.