It is very unfortunate for democracy in Malta, that the Opposition plans rarely find space in the written and broadcasting media.
Adding insult to injury, the same media persons criticise Labour for not acting as an alternative government and for failing to produce a plan of action to be implemented once in government. Political observers predict a Labour victory coming next elections and even go so far as to advise Labour to sit quiet and win the election through default. Labour strategists thought otherwise, and two days ago the Labour leader launched a well-studied volume indicating what Labour stands for and what it would do once elected to government.
Spread over 648 pages, the Labour plan ëPjan ghal Bidu Gdidí (Plan for a New Beginning) is fraught with detailed plans and policies touching every section of society with a direct input by more than 300 organisations who met Labour to discuss issues of relevance to their respective organisations.
While launching the Labour project, Alfred Sant explained that he considered positive the fact that Government is adopting about 29 concrete Labour proposals for its pre-budget document.
It is not expected that every voter in Malta would read through the lengthy document, but it is a useful compilation of policies, highlighting the work that has been done in the process of direct consultation with the players who have something to offer to society.
The laborious method of consultation was spread over 2,000 hours of meetings and discussions with every stratum of civil society committed as an accomplice to the project. The Labour leader declared that ideas were not solely those of Labour spokesmen and their experts but the document has a huge input by the organisations themselves.
The thrust of the document revolves around the concept of a strong family unit which should be socially and economically sound to serve as a solid foundation to a modern society in continuous development.
The family should interact with all the organs and institutions of the country establishing a give-and-take relationship. The family unit should adapt itself to the continuous change taking place outside and within the Island with technological change and globalisation spearheading innovation and new methods of living.
The central idea is that we should not isolate ourselves from the world around us, a germinating idea which should challenge many of the old ways of doing things and introduce gradually an injection of contemporary roles departing from fossilised norms which are keeping the country backward. In recent years I have witnessed a lot of progress in countries that were years behind us in infrastructure, in administrative set up and in economic development. We seem to be falling behind these countries. Thatís why we need a vision based on change of mentality and pointing towards a more contemporary style of doing things.
This is a long and laborious process considering the fact that 42 per cent of our youths are leaving school without any skills or clear plan for the future.
Labourís social plan of action dwells on topics like: equality between the sexes; the family in a secular context; childrenís rights and values; solidarity between members of society of different age groups; protection for vulnerable persons; and the Stateís contribution towards the family unit.
These concepts are framed in concrete plans of action. For instance, the plan accentuates the social and economic reality that more women are entering the labour market spending more time away from the family. Children are being left in the hands of carers in various child institutions and schools. Labour makes it clear that these carers need more training to pass relevant life skills to the children trusted in their care. Since these individuals are substituting mothers in the upbringing of our younger generation, they should not only be made conscious of their responsibility but should be trained to gather more skills and pass sound values to our children. Carers are also the focal point in institutions looking after senior citizens who have lost the ability to look after their basic needs. Since we are an ageing population, legislation should spell out the responsibilities, rights and obligations of carers who should enjoy a better status.
The demographic change being the result of a change in the size of families is endangering the sustainability of the welfare state. Labour is intent on strengthening the family unit by supporting even financially the younger generation to establish a sound family. The exaggerated cost of a housing unit is determining the size of families and the future plans of young couples, having a direct influence on the stability of the family. Marriage breakdown is on the increase with many couples admitting that they do not have time for the other partner, ending up in indifference and the eventual untying of the knot.
The Labour plan makes a sound evaluation of a society in constant change through secularism, materialism and the effect of foreign styles of living. It is conscious of the economic and financial strains that each and everyone of us is experiencing with heavy taxation and a constant drop in earnings.
During his speech, Alfred Sant promised a reduction in taxation to the most taxedÖ the middle class. This in itself would generate more spending and an expansion in economic activity.
The document is not intended as an electoral manifesto, but gives a clear indication what Labour stands for and what plans are in store.
The fact that an Opposition Party has found the time and energy to list its plans is in itself a courageous act knowing that some of its ideas could be adopted by its political rival.
However, it demonstrates a mature mentality of securing the common good prior to partisan exigencies.
In a few monthsí time the electorate will be asked to cast its vote. At least, we now have a decent alternative.