L-Ghaqda Imprendituri Maltin u Ghawdxin (The Maltese and Gozitan Entrepreneurs Association) expressed its disappointment over the fact that the government’s pre-budget document, Families Growing Stronger fails completely to address in depth the current state of affairs of the self-employed sector.

The self-employed get only a scant mention, where the document states that the government might consider:

• Crediting the self-employed with their national insurance contribution during the first year of starting a business; and

• Assisting women who are not in the labour force to take up self-employment.

The association noted that these considerations are more intended for those who are unemployed rather then the self-employed and that they fall far short of the measures required to improve the financial position of those who are already self-employed.

Hence, the association called on the government to revise its preparation programme for the forthcoming budget vis-à-vis the self-employed.

It believes that the government can improve this process by holding discussions with the association regarding this sector, which as everyone knows represents a very important base of the Maltese economy.