The title given to the government’s budget 'Malta ġusta’ (A fair Malta), shows that government has a dual personality; on the one hand we have the message they are trying to convey during the budget speech and on the other hand, we have the reality of government’s attitude throughout the year, ADPD said Saturday.

Whatever government ministers say, and no matter its handouts, the truth is that this government is involved in collusion with those who literally stole hundreds of millions from the public coffers.

A government that preaches fiscal prudence in the budget, but then, in practice, throughout the year squanders public funds like there’s no tomorrow. In this context even objectively fair measures assume additional significance because they form part of a political plan that wants to create a culture of dependency, ADPD said.

Carmel Cacopardo, ADPD-The Green Party Deputy Chairperson went on to explain how the budget speech, once again, promoted a culture of dependency. There is too much emphasis on handouts and far less on what is rightfully ours. The phrase ‘give us our rights, not handouts’ assumes significance even in this context.

For years now, our party, has insisted on a general review of the minimum wage so that it reflects today’s needs and the need for a decent living. The various Caritas studies have always emphasized the fact that substantial increases in the minimum wage are necessary. The latest Caritas report, based on real documented needs, shows that a decent minimum wage would need to increase by €4,000 per year, apart from the increase in the cost of living, to ensure a decent level of ‘living’ for a family of two adults and two children. This translates into the need for an increase of €78 per week in the minimum wage. This contrasts greatly with the increase agreed between the social partners in the MCESD. The €18 per week increase spread over 4 years is insufficient and continues to undermine the dignity of work. It is better than nothing but still woefully insufficient.

Government's refusal of a serious revision of the minimum wage means that there is no political will to make work pay. This is because the Government prefers a politics of handouts and subsidies to continue strengthening a culture of clientelism and dependence.

This is a budget that reinforces a culture of dependence on the benevolence of the Government. This policy of dependence started as a response to the Covid emergency and is now being continued because it is politically convenient, Cacopardo said.

We want justice not dependence, and in the light of this we are pushing forward a policy that should strengthen the minimum wage with permanent increases so that it is a really and truly a living wage, on which a can live decently without having to wait for Government cheques. This is everyone’s right. Dependence on Government benevolence should decrease not increase, he said.