Zminijietna, the left think tank organisation, has said in a statement that the Budget 2018 should give priority to social and environmental issues.

The leftist organisation also insisted that the Government should “reject neo-liberalism.”

Zminijietna stressed the need for a statutory increase in the national minimum wage, and for fiscal measures to incentivise jobs with decent conditions.

“The Government should regularise employment of migrants,” the Voice of the Left said. It added that, adequacy in pension remuneration should be given higher priority by the Government.

Zminijietna insisted on regularisation of the property market, saying that accommodation is becoming a major concern. “The current situation of a laissez-faire mentality should be challenged with a legal framework that safeguards the individual right to decent housing,” it added.

“The Government needs to invest more in social housing projects, in areas inside the development zone, whereby the state keep ownership of these properties. Tax on vacant property should also be considered,” it said.

Zminijietna went on to say that, “environmental issues should also be given due importance. With regards waste, the government should introduce at the earliest the concept of a reverse vending machine system’ to reduce the amount of non-recycled waste. Measures to enforce separation of waste should also be introduced.”

“For rural environment and public spaces, the government should invest more in afforestation projects, rehabilitation of valleys, parks and public gardens. Further areas, such as Manoel Island should be turned into national parks,” concluded Zminijietna – the Voice of the Left.

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