Alternattiva Demokratika – The Green Party said that concrete and realistic measures should be introduced to compensate people for increased hardships due to the cost of living in Malta. AD also commented on the rise in salaries of Ministers and Members of Parliament.

Michael Briguglio, AD Chairperson, said, “A realistic assessment of the cost of living adjustment should be carried out in order that the yearly compensation truly reflects the rise in inflation. Hence, an updated methodology should replace the current one on which COLA is based. AD also reiterates that Malta needs an increase in the minimum wage.”

As regards utility bills, AD believes that Government should give priority to alternative energy, which is ultimately the best guarantee against rising costs of dirty energy.

Angele Deguara, spokesperson for Social Development, said, “When government establishes its economic policy, it should be sensitive to the fact that in Malta there are more than 61 thousand people who live below the poverty line, with an income of less than 6000 Euros a year. These figures indicate an increase in the rate of poverty when compared to 2008.”

“Certain groups, such as children, youths below the age of 18, as well as those advanced in age, the long-term unemployed, lone-parent families, and families having three or more children, tend to be more vulnerable than others. Official figures indicate that thousands of people are barely coping with the cost of living, and are suffering immensely in order to be able to pay the utility bills. There are thousands who do not afford to eat meat, fish, or vegetables on a regular basis, or cannot afford to warm up their home – these are things which many people would take for granted?”

“Due to this, we need to clarify our priorities, to be more sensitive to the suffering of those who live in a state of poverty, and to establish policies which address these problems in a serious manner.”

Michael Briguglio also commented on the increase in salaries of Ministers and Members of Parliament, “AD believes that the timing of such increases is not sensitive to the hardships that are being faced by many people. Besides, given that parliament is a part-time institution, such increases are unjustified. Only a full-time parliament would deserve such increases, and part of the salary should be linked to presence in parliament.”

Permalink: Realistic measures required on cost of living increases – AD