“Raising the minimum wage is an issue of social justice, “the Campaign for a Decent Minimum Wage has stated.

The Campaign welcomed the discussion regarding a possible increase in the minimum wage that involved foremost economists and social partners during an MCESD meeting on Wednesday.

“We feel that, in substantial terms, the arguments made by foremost economists Gordon Cordina and Lino Briguglio, and by others, do not contradict our arguments and conclusion, but rather reinforce them.”

“Professors Cordina and Briguglio have warned that raising the minimum wage will not attend to the causes of extreme poverty. This is something that the Campaign for a Decent Minimum Wage has sustained since its inception. In fact, we see the issue of an increase in the minimum wage as primarily an issue of social justice rather than the panacea for all social ills, including poverty,” it said.

As rightly expressed by the Minister for Civil Liberties Helena Dalli, government should embark on a programme: “to support the most vulnerable and the minimum wage increase [is just] one such measure.”

The Campaign for a Decent Minimum Wage noted with satisfaction that, as attested by Prof. Cordina: “a minimum wage increase would have a significant positive impact after all.”

The Campaign said that it also appreciates Prof. Lino Briguglio’s support of an increase in the minimum wage, and his suggestion for a re-estimate of the base wage.

The issue of competitiveness was also rightfully raised during the meeting, The Campaign for a Decent Minimum Wage said. It added that it has already advised that with regards to safeguarding those businesses that might suffer from the proposed suggested increase, measures be enacted by government to safeguard competitiveness and address possible ill-effects.

The Campaign also noted that, as stated by Prof. Briguglio, when the proposed increased is modest, as is the case with our proposal: “there is generally a beneficial effect’ to the economy.”

In addition, the Campaign for a Decent Minimum Wage welcomed the advice, made and endorsed by the two professors, to establish a low wage advisory committee under the MCESD a rational and sensible suggestion.

The Campaign for a Decent Minimum Wage concluded by saying that it feels that its arguments and conclusions have been vindicated by the proceedings.

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