The Civil Society Network – Malta said that it has appealed to the Government to ensure that Budget 2017 includes measures to improve the quality of life and standard of living of low income earners and pensioners.
In particular The Civil Society Network said that it is calling for:
1. An increase in the minimum wage
2. An increase in the minimum pension
3. An updated and realistic indexation of COLA
4. An updated and realistic indexation of the Pension
5. Upward revisions in tax brackets for low income earners
6. Measures to ensure that housing is affordable.
7. Measures to define and tackle precarious employment
8. Measures to combat exploitation of foreign workers in the underground economy.
9. Measures to encourage use and access of renewable energy
10. Measures to ensure sustainable and universally accessible pensions.
The Society said that is believes that policies "should be based on evidence and research and that Government should ensure that consensus among social partners is not used as an excuse for procrastination."
"We note that Malta's economy is doing relatively well but that there are growing social inequalities." said the Civil Society Network.