Żminijietna - Voice of the Left considers the training scheme launched by the government in the last budget for minimum wage earners as a failure to reach social targets for the workers to further improve their standard of living. Latest figures show that the only one worker applied for this scheme from its inception.

This idea seemed good on paper but in practice it could not meet its social targets. Examining the social and economic situation of these workers and their families shows how it is logically impossible for a minimum wage earner to refuse overtime or give up a part time job, to go and attend these courses. In fact researches show that persons who continue to further their skills throughout their life are mostly those with an adequate income, coming from the middle and high classes or pensioners who are now retired.

Żminijietna - Voice of the Left therefore calls for a review of this system and suggest an increase in the national minimum wage and the introduction of training schemes, through tax incentives for those employers who give incentives to their employees on minimum wage, without any discrimination, to attend courses during working hours. This system is currently being applied by a number of enterprises in Malta on a voluntary basis, so their employees can improve their skills and abilities.

■ Alfred Vella

Żminijietna - Voice of the Left