Left-wing think tank Zminijietna yesterday said it was people’s standard of living that was the main concern for this year’s election.
“This concerns various matters which need to be confronted through a politics of equality,” spokesperson Michael Briguglio said.
“The main issue in this election is that whilst many people are experiencing a high cost of living, inferior work conditions and a decline in standard of living, on the other hand, some groups from the upper social classes seem omnipotent. This is a contradiction that is resulting in hardships and sacrifices amongst thousands of workers and families.”
The think tank called for policies that created work, gave more strength to the working class and which defended the welfare state.
It said the welfare state should be based on the principles of equality, social justice, efficiency and sustainability.
“Malta also requires policies which stop the dismantling of public services, which ensures that workers’ incomes increase, and which puts most tax burden on those who can pay most. Therefore, we cannot agree with a politics of privatisation and liberalisation, and we cannot agree with policies which propose less taxes for the wealthy and more burdens on workers.”
“Malta also requires progressive policies of social inclusion which face today’s realities of different types of families and which controls the price of housing. Zminijietna cannot support policies which favour more liberalisation in the housing sector, as this will result in problems and serious difficulties for thousands of families.”
“A new government should also adopt sustainable environmental policies which protect the common good and which does not result in more burdens on workers.”
Zminijietna said that it will shortly be submitting a memorandum on the general election to political parties and the press. It said the think tank would keep the public informed through a critical, constructive and informative lens on what is the best interest for a politics of equality and social justice.