The UHM – Voice of the Workers has called for the government to provide frontliners with a bonus for the tireless work they have done throughout the pandemic and for utility bill vouchers that will serve as a rebate due to increased domestic usage.

These proposals are two of all 89 proposals that the Union would like to see in the upcoming budget spanning over several themes.

Economy

The government has to make a sector by sector analysis to understand what extraordinary measures are needed since there are a lot of sectors who will not reach post-COVID levels any time soon. Such analysis should be done in communication with all stakeholders so that no time is wasted.

UHM CEO Josef Vella said that the government must also send a clear message that sustainable social economy is of top priority as this pandemic has shown that there are sectors which are not as sustainable as they could be, like the tourism industry. Green Economy and digitisation should be considered well.

Fight against precarious work

The UHM wants workers to all have a working contract, one that is accessible on the Jobsplus portal. This will help regulate contracts and ensure that no one tries to make changes that could be abusive to the worker and go against what is written in the law. 

It would also like to see workers registered under a trade union and form an integral part of its procedures, which will support those low-income workers who are at risk of falling under the poverty threshold.

Additionally, state employees should get an equal amount of pay and be entitled to increments, progressions, allowances and automatic promotions when fulfilling their duties, depending on what their contract entails.

Work

The Union has called for a revision of the work regulations order so that everyone has an equal threshold of working hours per week as there are people, like bus drivers, who are working 48 hours rather than the usual 40 hours.

A job evaluation scheme should also be introduced for people working with a field that there are not qualified in so that those who are actually qualified have a better chance of progressing in their career.

Employees should be able to make use of any accumulated sick leave in the case of severe health issues. Households with two working parents should also have the option to use sick leave when their children are sick.

The Union also wants to see workers benefit from double pay for Sunday shifts as well as an increase in the minimum wage as promised by the government during previous discussions.

Telework

This way of working should be discussed as an alternative method of working where possible as it reduces emissions in the air and makes for a better work-life balance, Vella explained, adding that there should be no reduction of allowances for people who opt for this method of working.

Taxes

The Union has called for a reduction in taxes for part-timers who already have a full-time job the amount should be reduced to 10%.

Social Security contributions paid by the workers should also be reduced from the annual taxable income or should be completely untaxable.

Tax credits should also be introduced for companies investing in technology so that their employees work remotely. This also includes laptops for children who are learning fro, home and do not have access to laptops.

Property

The first-time buyers scheme should be extended to €250,000 and be made available to second-time buyers who did not benefit from it the first time around.

Property with 5 levels or more should incur additional tax per additional floor.

There must also be enforcement of regulations on workplaces in relation to health and safety by ensuring that a permit is issued before construction commences.

Vella added that families who experience a house collapse should receive compensation immediately and not wait for long court procedures which could even take years to finalise. There should also be enough money to rebuild someone’s home in the shortest time possible.

Utility bills

The Union believes that considering the fact that more people have had to stay at home during this pandemic, the government should give out utility bill vouchers that can be used as a rebate for higher levels of usage.

The layout and content of utility bills should also be simplified so as to make them more user friendly.

Education

The UHM is couching for a free online reading scheme, as it understands that times have changed, and people no longer need to go to the physical library to borrow books. So the government has to bring this service online.

Broadband internet access should also be guaranteed for all low-income households and the government should also consider investing in higher board-band speed which will be necessary since the digital age nowadays requires it.

Pensions

More research and studies have to be conducted in order to find the ideal minimum pension amount which is scientifically backed up. Any bonuses should also start being provided to the elderly when they get to 70-years-old and anyone with a bonus who is 75 or older should have an increase in their bonus.

Environment

The Union would like to see the introduction of bring-in sites in every locality in Malta and Gozo that are modelled around the types of trash households have - black bag, recycling bag and organic bag - since the time established for garbage pick-up might not fit everyone’s time table.