Last week, I had the opportunity to meet a good number of friends at my home town – Hamrun. I re-lived a string of experiences and emotions from the past. But more importantly, during my brief conversations, I tried to grasp what are the current concerns of my friends. As the list is quite long, I will delve in some and skim on others.
To begin with the Spartan courage and determination are alive and kicking.
For the most obvious reasons, I am leaving the current political controversies out. I will only pen, the underlying denominator which emerged prominently. The general feeling is that the current political charade must come to an end. People are getting weary of the political blah blah blah. People are looking for a credible shelter. In the eyes of many, as yet, there is no political grouping able to take the champion title. The PN is still shackled with political baggage while the PL has failed on its three electoral promises credibility, meritocracy and transparency. On this issue political groupings need to improve on their trustworthiness stances. It seems that too many people have burnt their fingers with one or the two political groupings.
Although, some hinted at political parties promising everything to everyone at all times. More people clearly understand that this political approach is not feasible and will run the islands into the ground. This should be analysed in depth by both political parties.
To begin with, this can be partially addressed by axing a good number of partisan politically motivated discussion programmes on both PL and PN television and radio stations. Some of these programmes are neither informative nor politically correct. Callers are allowed to make insinuations and suggestions during live chat-shows which are far from correct or appropriate. These programmes and callers are not doing any favours to their respective political party.
Another issue which troubled a good number of my friends was the news item which brought to light the alleged social benefits fraudster who raked €75,000 from the social benefits system. This alleged fraud dates back to 2006.
Astute lawyers will sweat blood and battle out on every point of law to detract and delay the sword from coming down. But hopefully the blind-folded lady acts in favour of what people see as fair and just.
During the same time this alleged fraudster case surfaced, the President of Malta, addressed MFSA workers. Her Excellency informed them that the Community Chest Fund is receiving around 200 new applications every month for assistance. This figure included applications from families who do not have the basics including food. This should be a cause for alarm.
This becomes even more distressing when one puts the speech delivered by the President of Malta against a media press statement released by the National Statistics Office around the same time.
Some striking figures show that the total social security benefits amounted to €407.8 million during the first six months of this year, a decrease of €13.2 million in expenditure when compared to the corresponding period in 2014.
Non-contributory benefits decreased by 12.2 per cent during the first six months of 2015. The main reason behind this decline was a lower Children’s Allowance by €9.6 million, due to an extra payment being effected during the first six months of 2014.
However, further decreases in expenditure were recorded under Supplementary Assistance €1.8 million, Social Assistance €1.4 million, Non-Contributory Bonus €0.5million and Medical Assistance €0.3 million.
So basically on one side people are seeking assistance from the Community Chest Fund to maintain their basic needs including food while the social security system is striking people from making use of social security benefits. An overhaul in the social security system is becoming more pressing, striking off fraudsters only.
While political bickering and jockeying may be considered important for political mileage, people who are suffering in silence should be identified and rather than labelled should receive tailor made assistance in kind or in cash from the national coffers.
Meeting people is always a pleasant experience. People’s concerns may not be music to the ears of those who need to listen most but nonetheless, to be fair, they ought to know.
Nothing beats personal contact.
[email protected]