The Communist Party of Malta said that it views as a step forward the number of measures introduced in this Budget with the aim to assist more, those pensioners on low income, persons with disability and workers on a minimum wage income.

"Regards adequacy of the national minimum wage and the national basic pension, still the budget lacks to address this precarious situation, where many will still be at-risk-of poverty. Adequacy of the minimum wage demands a fair increase in the national minimum wage income. With regards to basic pension, for this to mature, the number of years involved should be reduced. In 20 years time the basic pension will again become inadequate."

The Communist Party of Malta concluded by saying that "with regards to measures, to assists those in need of financial assistance to be able to pay their rent for their accommodation, the party agree in principle, but other measures should have been introduced to curb the speculation with regards to rent fees, as prices will keep on increasing."

Permalink: A step forward but more needed to address poverty – Communists