Żminijietna – Voice of the Left considers the introduction of the second pillar as proposed by the pension working group, not being a universal one. The second pillar proposal is an individualistic one and not a collective one, where a considerable amount of workers and people will be disadvantaged because of their social status, precarious employment and atypical work. It also appears that neither the contributions nor the second pillar pension will be guaranteed or protected by the state.

The government should ensure a basic state pension for ‘everyone’, which would be adequate for a person to live a decent life. At the same time we suggest that the government creates a fund specifically for pensions, different from today’s system, where all national contributions go directly into the consolidated fund. This fund should be managed by all social partners in MCESD, which include the unions, employers and the government. This will ensure sustainability of the pension fund, greater transparency and accountability.

The government should also conduct and publish a scientific study on the impact of any increase in the national contributions by the workers. At the same time the government must not obstruct the possibility of more women joining the labour force by taking actions like voting against an increase in maternity and paternity leave, and should invest more in child care facilities that are accessible to workers.

Another aspect which is important to sustainability of pensions is immigration, that if tackled justly, will serve as a tool for more national contributions to the pension fund and not a tool for exploitation and illegal work.

■ Alfred Vella

Żminijietna - Voice of the Left

Valletta