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Alternattiva calls for increase in national minimum wage Alternattiva Demokratika, the Green party, marked May day yesterday with a call for a higher minimum wage, and a warning of worsening labour conditions.In a barb directed at the Labour party celebrations, AD said workers’ day “should not simply be a day of nostalgia and partisan propaganda” but a reflection for more sustainable policies on social justice on the workplace. AD secretary-general Ralph Cassar appealed to government and unions to fight the rise in precarious employment. “Examples of this are the increase in employment on fixed contracts and the increase of self-employed wrokers who are selling their services to one contractor, such as the government or an employer. Whilst it is true that there are workers who choose part-time employment because of other priorities in life, one should not accept that workers are not being entitled their rights because of the ‘competitiveness’ excuse.” Cassar said it was unacceptable for workers to be forced to work overtime against their will, and underlined AD’s support for the Working Time Directive, which establishes a maximum number of working hours, and leaves the door open for new job opportunities for unemployed workers. Cassar added that the current minimum wage was not realistic when compared to the cost of living, and should be increasing for both full-time and party-time employment. “We disagree with the Prime Minister and with business interests who say this will decrease our country’s competitiveness. Competitiveness depends on productivity and costs which companies have to pay because of bad administration, inefficiencies and bad practices of the government.” AD’s spokesperson on EU and international affairs Prof. Arnold Cassola said that the resistance to capping overtime work was due to low wages. “People are forced to work more, even at the expense of their family and social life because they have to make ends meet somehow. We must move away from this state of affairs if we really believe in quality of life for all.” He said Malta needed work policies that are in favour of the different types of families that exist. “In spite of all its rhetoric, Malta’s government keeps retaining amongst the lowest level of rights and opportunities for different family types. Examples of this include the minimal level of parental leave and the lack of a holistic and comprehensive policy on childcare centres, where parents can balance their responsibilities as parents with other activities in the public sphere, such as work, whilst their children receive quality education.” Any comments? |
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