The Forum Unions Maltin today welcomed the income tax cuts and the increase in pensions announced in last Monday’s budget but said these measures did not really affect workers who had a medium income.

The Forum said it was giving its budget reaction after its executive council met on Friday.

“For.U.M absolutely agrees with the live-in carers initiative, which is set to relieve pressure on the hospitals and encourage more elderly people to stay in the community.”

It also agreed that a permanent link should be set up between Malta and Gozo and hoped that this project would start soon.

On the other hand it said it was highly disappointed that the government had increased the retirement age by yet another year.

It said it would put those who wished to study longer at a disadvantage. It also put employers and youths at a disadvantage because it reduced the natural turnover of workers.

The forum sad that since the economy was reportedly doing well public holidays that fell on weekends should be given back to the workers.

It also noted that one of its proposals on education, nanotechnology, living wage and tax evasion had been included in the budget speech. It hoped that these proposals would not be ignored. Workers, it said, could not continue to shoulder the burden of tax evasion.

On the other hand For.U.M welcomed the proposals on third pillar pensions and the invitation for a deeper discussion on second pillar pensions.

It also said there was much to be done on the traffic situation and noted that a number of its proposals had been included.

On the health sector it said it was satisfied that two out of three proposals it had made were included in the budget.