The fact that the social welfare system is susceptible to abuse is well-known. Over the years, this system has been exploited by many who have attempted to live off its benefits. Alas, until the new administration took office, there were very few attempts to control such abuses.

Malta's social welfare system, which has seen various developments over the years, aims to reduce the financial hardships of sickness, disability, injury, old age and unemployment. Built on the backbone of social security contributions from people in gainful employment, this system makes sure that society provides for those who require help.

Unfortunately, as evidenced by the Auditor General report "Addressing Social Benefit Fraud 2010-2012", this system has fallen victim to abuse with a number of alleged cases of fraud in social benefits. Further to this report, then Minister for Family and Social Solidarity Marie Louise Coleiro had written to the Police Commissioner asking him to investigate such cases of people who were living off social benefits they were not entitled to. Now that this abuse has become so rampant, I believe it's high time that such abuses, which are putting a strain on the public expenditure system, are tackled.

To make things perfectly clear, like the Labour Party, I wholeheartedly believe that this system is essential and we cannot do without it. However, the aim of this system should be to make sure that the benefits are given to the vulnerable in society - those who are most in need of assistance. To go a step further, I would say that we need to stop the abuses and increase the benefits for those who really need them.

When Marie Louise Coleiro Preca asked the Police to start investigating claims made by the Auditor General and set up an independent task force to analyse its report, she set the ball rolling in this regard. Her efforts were echoed and furthered by Minister of Finance Edward Scicluna when he presented the first Labour Budget last year. Prof. Scicluna had then said that the government was aware of abuses in the work register and wanted to fight them. He also agreed that this situation was unfair on those who work hard and pay social security contributions.

This year, the Budget that will soon be presented by Minister Scicluna will try to address this problem to ensure that the social security system is sustainable and fair. In fact, as per the pre-Budget document title will 'Create opportunities not Dependence'. This attitude in my opinion is spot on and should have been the approach that we as a country should have taken a long time ago. People should be encouraged to find work and discouraged to live off state benefits or being dependent on welfare.

While I laud our Minister for Finance for taking on the challenge and trying to address this problem - as it is his job to do - I believe that this is no easy task. It will take a lot of courage, effort and determination to curb the abuse. However, I am confident that he is the right man for the job.

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