Alternattiva Demokratika – The Green Party said today that social policy should be based on equality, inclusion and social justice. AD reiterated various proposals such as minimum wage increase, maternity and paternity leave increase and universal childcare services.

Michael Briguglio, AD Chairperson, said, “In Parliament, AD will be the voice of social justice, equality and social inclusion. A socially just and sustainable welfare state should be universal in scope, yet should consider citizens as individuals with particular realities and lifestyles.

“The state at its various levels should guarantee all citizens the possibility to emancipate themselves, to establish their own lives in diversity and to participate in society. Civil society should be directly involved in Malta’s welfare system. Citizens must enjoy equal opportunities and equal rights and benefit from an active social policy and a robust social protection.”

Michael Briguglio concluded, “solidarity and responsibility must be the cornerstones of an inclusive and cohesive society which acknowledges the existence of plural identities. Our welfare system should not be based on the male breadwinner model but should cater for different family and household types. The welfare state should empower people to emancipate themselves while ensuring that nobody lives in poverty and that precariousness is avoided. Although efficiency is important for a strong welfare system, it should not encourage an economic race-to-the-bottom through liberalisation of essential social services.”

Angele Deguara, AD spokesperson for Social Policy and Civil Rights, said, “on the basis of our basic principles of equality, inclusion and social justice, we are putting forward a number of concrete proposals. Men and women should be considered to be active participants in all spheres of social life, from employment to family life.

“In order to ensure equality in our families, a number of family-friendly measures needs to be implemented. For example child care services should be universally accessible and, in collaboration with the private sector, the State should provide free services to those who need them.

“Parental leave should be extended to 20 weeks. The other partner should benefit from 2 weeks. The state should create a joint fund with the private sector to assist small and medium businesses in the implementation of this reform.”

“AD believes that the minimum wage in Malta should increase and should be extended to part time and contractual workers. Such an increase would help improve the quality of life of the workers and give them more spending power.” Angele Deguara continued, “such an increase would also encourage more people to enter the formal labour market, making work pay, acting as an incentive for increased productivity. At the same time, the Government should step up its efforts to reduce “underground” unemployment. Work should pay. Persons willing to enter formal employment should not be discouraged from doing so.”

“The present situation is encouraging welfare dependency because of the small gap between welfare and paid employment. Therefore, the minimum income threshold for persons who receive welfare benefits and/or who are registered unemployed should be raised so that people on low income such as lone parents will be encouraged to find employment or to work a longer number of hours without having their benefit deducted,” Angele Deguara concluded.

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