Single mothers are not fighting for child maintenance from fathers who have dropped of the radar, and as a result, are ending up at risk of poverty. In cases where the father refuses to provide for child maintenance, the mother may stop all efforts simply to prevent arguments, or to prevent having to face her former partner in court, Minister Michael Farrugia said, in comments to The Malta Independent.

The Minister for Family and Social Solidarity said that the government must carry put in the effort to rebuild such individuals’ self esteem, allowing them to empower themselves and move out of poverty. Most often, he said, the parent chooses to avoid arguments because of the children themselves, but it is later the same children who suffer from material deprivation and social exclusion.

The national strategic policy for poverty reduction and social exclusion was launched, aiming at lifting around 6,560 people out of risk of poverty. It is estimated that 80,196 people in Malta are at risk of poverty or social exclusion.  In 2013, the material deprivation rate of Maltese households stood at 19.4% while the severe material deprivation rate stood at 9.5%.

A poverty survey conducted by Caritas Malta in 2011 estimated that for a minimum standard of living families with two adults and two dependent children need an income of €10,634 a year, a lone parent with two dependent children needs €8,581 p/a and an elderly couple needs €6,328 p/a.

In 2012, it was estimated that around 18,800 workers were employed precariously. Precarious employment conditions, low pay, involuntary part-time work and low skills are key factors contributing toward in-work poverty. According to Eurostat, The number of people who are in a full time employment but are low paid is relatively high in Malta when compared to other countries.

 The policy document is set to address poverty and social exclusion by increasing national sustainable development, promoting empowerment and consolidating social services. The government is set to promote employment to 70% to the population aged 20-64 years and reduce early school leaving rates to 10%.

As regards to pensions, the government is set to introduce a payment in arrears scheme for people wo have not made adequate social security payments towards a pension.

Meanwhile, the Ministry for Education has developed a framework for education strategy, which aims to reduce the gaps in educational outcomes between boys and girls, and between students attending differet schools. It also aims at decreasing the number of low achievers and raise the bar in literacy, numeracy and science competence.  In 2013, 14.4% of those who attained an upper secondary education were at risk of poverty. On the other hand, 28.8% of persons who attained a pre-primary and primary education were at risk. The percentage of school leavers from education stood at 20.8% in 2013, which is significantly higher than the EU average of 12%.

Individuals will still be eligible for social benefits if they travel abroad for a week

Recipients of social benefits will no longer lose their eligibility for their payment if they travel abroad. At present, if the fraud department notices recipients travel abroad the benefits are cut off. This is because according to the Material Deprivation Index, persons who are materially deprived, thus eligible for social benefits cannot afford one week’s annual holiday away from home.

In one case, an individual had her benefits cut off after she visited her sister in Germany. She insisted however, that it was her sister who paid for her flights.  However, Dr Farrugia has now issued a directive to stop this from happening.

The Material Deprivation Rate as adopted by the National Statistics Office (NSO) is defined as the number of persons living in households who are not able to afford at least three of the following nine items:

·         Unexpected financial expenses

·         One week’s annual holiday away from home

·         Mortgage or rent, utility bills, hire purchase instalments or other loan payments

·         A meal with meat, chicken, fish or vegetarian equivalent every second day

·         To keep their home adequately warm in winter

·         A washing machine

·         A colour TV

·         A telephone

·         A car