Alternattiva Demokratika, the Green party, has presented its proposals for the Budget, to be presented next Monday, and called for the safeguarding of the purchasing power of lower and middle-income earners and increasing economic activity, without undermining the country’s finances.
“Our focus for the next budget are families with children, low and middle-income earners and small businesses,” AD chairperson Michael Briguglio said. “While we should never abandon fiscal discipline which would be irresponsible at a time of crisis, these categories should not bear the brunt of the current economic recession.”
Briguglio said that the government must direct its energies at sustaining families and job creation without undermining the sustainability of public finances.
“Unlike others, we are not presenting wishy-washy proposals in a bid to appease everyone. Our proposals are responsible and focused on low and middle-income earners, families with children and small businesses.”
AD’s main proposals for the budget are:
An increased investment in childcare through a voucher system through which the State would pay a number of childcare hours for parents opting for private childcare centres, proportionately to the income of the persons involved. The vouchers should cover all childcare costs of single parents during the first year after re-entering the labour market. Government should also increase investment in accessible and affordable childcare centres and incentivise private companies to introduce childcare centres for employees;
AD said the minimum wage should be increased in a way that reflects current needs and realities. “This measure would safeguard the most vulnerable workers from exploitation while encouraging more people to enter the legal labour market”;
AD also said that electricity tariffs should reflect the international price of oil. “But a fixed tariff rate should be introduced for basic and sustainable consumption of energy, which should be established through scientific studies. Anyone using more than this amount should be expected to pay tariffs which reflect fluctuations in the market. To minimise the impact of fluctuations in the oil market, a unit should be set up in the Resources Authority with the brief to assist small business as well as households, to reduce energy costs by increasing energy efficiency”;
The introduction of a speculation tax on all properties kept vacant for more than a year, from one’s third property onwards, and excluding summer residences. “This tax will encourage more sustainable land use by penalising speculation. The Housing Authority should also assist persons with social needs.”
A reduction in tax rates for small companies and a raising taxes on commercial banking activities;
Metering of all boreholes extracting groundwater. “Everyone possessing a borehole, including companies producing table water, should pay commercial water rates”;
No reduction of subsidies on public transport to ensure system is substantially funded to be accessible to everyone at all times and in all parts of the islands. “Government revenue generated through the Transport Authority should be used for such scope. Persons without a driving license should have free access to public transport”:
Renumeration of the 14th week of maternity leave as is the case with the other 13 weeks – “a first step in the eventual increase of maternity leave, as being proposed in the European Union.”
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