Zminijietna – The left think-tank organisation, has set out a list of proposals to all political parties contesting the coming General Election. Among them, the call for a statutory increase in the national minimum wage, irrespective of the amount of years in employment.

Zminijietna, in its statement today, said “elected governments should shy away from the neoliberal mantra of further privatisation of public services and entities. Re-nationalisation of strategic assets should be part and parcel of the new government.”

It argued that public finances can only be sustainable, “if supported by a progressive tax system based on social and environmental justice.”

Zminijietna said that it appeals for an adjustment in the policy for added ‘tax cuts’ that will “only benefit the well-off.”

“Work on a definite contract should be eradicated. Instead regular employment should be the norm, as this will bring about stability and decent standard of living,” Zminijietna added.

“Zminijietna insists for the protection of the common good on the environmental aspect. Outside development areas (ODZ) should not be exploited for financial gain, but on the contrary, these areas should be protected, in order to be enjoyed by everyone.”

It continued by saying that it appeals for the dismantling of the rural policy and the strengthening of the environmental policies.

On the pension system, Zminijietna said that it maintains its position in favour of an adequate minimum pension. “The State should remain the sole entity responsible for the management of the pension system.”

Zminijietna added “policies on recycling should incentivise families to be more pro-active in the management of this system. In several European cities, this is already being implemented, such as the installation of the ‘reverse vending machine’ which are used to collect aluminium cans and glass bottles, while paying back people for the amount of cans recycled through this system.”

Zminijietna, on the subject of housing, said that it believes that the property and rental market should be regulated by the state. “The state should also have an amount of property in stock for those in need. We also appeal for a tax on vacant property.”

“In terms of Malta’s foreign policy, Zminijietna calls for the safeguarding of the neutrality clause, thus dissociating from US imperialism and NATO,” concluded Zminijietna – Voice of the Left.

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