Left-wing think tank Zminijietna – Voice of the Left, yesterday said work was one of the major issues in the upcoming general election and called on the government to employ policies of growth, stability and equality.
“Job creation and wage levels are two important issues in this regard. Wages should increase, both directly, as is the need for an increase in the minimum wage, as well as indirectly, namely through progressive fiscal policy and subsidies on energy and housing. We disagree with fiscal policy which discriminates in favour of high-income earners at the expense of middle and low income earners,” spokesperson Michael Briguglio said.
“It is important that Malta does not keep creating new jobs which are precarious. This includes part-time work which is carried out due to lack of better options for workers. Part-time work is constantly increasing in Malta, to such an extent that there are around 45,000 part-time workers, 25,000 of whom work only part-time. Around 11% of work in Malta is on a part-time basis. Besides, around 6% of workers are employed on temporary contracts. Such workers have large difficulties in various spheres of life such as obtaining bank loans.”
Zminijietna also spoke about issues related to work-related rights.
“Malta needs serious laws and enforcement which guarantee the rights and job conditions of various categories of workers. Various workers such as part-timers, workers on contract, casual workers and workers who are forced to register as self-employed should benefit from the same rights as full-timers on a pro-rata basis. The same can be said as regards workers in the private sector when compared to public sector workers. Exploitation and lack of enforcement are very common.
“Industrial democracy is required, so that all workers would have the right to join a trade union and to carry out industrial action. The industrial tribunal should be available for all workers. The State should provide proper training facilities for different categories of workers in sectors which are facing problems. Such training should improve workers’ skills and respect their dignity, and not impose practices which are alien to workers’ experiences. Proper investment in health and safety measures is also required.”
Zminijietna will organise a public debate on Saturday 16 February at 10.00am on ‘Workers and the General Election’ at 60A, Strait Street, Valletta. The debate is chaired by journalist James Debono and speakers include David Agius (PN), Mario Mallia (AD), Charles Attard (AN), Tony Zarb (GWU), Gejtu Vella (UHM), David Pisani (Zminijietna), and Saviour Rizzo (Centre for Labour Studies). The Malta Labour Party has also been invited to participate.