It is time for government to substantially invest in social housing
The General Workers Union has said it is time for the government to embark on a substantial programme of social housing, in its pre-budget proposals.
The lack of development in social housing was a common criticism from the Opposition during the previous legislature. It often criticised Prime Minister Joseph Muscat for failing to construct a single new apartment building for social housing.
Facing questions from the press, GWU secretary general Josef Bugeja yesterday pointed towards pledges of a €50 million investment in social housing in the previous budget. He conceded, however, that a lot more still needed to be done.
He went on to attribute the ever increasing housing prices to the influx of foreign workers.
Mr Bugeja also said that government intervention in the housing market should be a last resort, but did not rule it out should the country fail to find a solution.
He pointed towards the situation in Germany as possible models the country could employ.
According to Mr Bugeja, the most important proposal within the pre-budget document involved the reimbursement of public holidays which fall on the weekend.
He suggested the introduction of bank holidays, but stressed that the union was open to discussing the proposal with various stakeholders and social partners.
During the press conference, which was held at the GWU headquarters in Valletta, Mr Bugeja outlined the principle areas found within the pre-budget document.
The work place
The GWU called upon the government to ensure that employees on temporary or short-term contracts are provided with equal conditions as those employed on fixed contracts, in order to truly reflect the principle of equal pay for equal work.
Employees on fixed contracts should be required the right of first refusal once their contract expires, should the company still require the position.
There were calls for the government to implement the Community Work Scheme and begin sending the tax-refund bonus to workers, as was promised in the electoral manifesto.
Tax on part-time work should be reduced from 15% to 20%, while overtime work should be taxed at 10%.
The government should introduce medical leave on top of sick leave in order to help those undergoing long-term treatment for an illness. A Special Transgender Leave should also be provided.
A subsidy should be provided in the form of in-work benefits to increase the wages of those individuals who are close to the poverty line.
Single parents and carers of old people and disabled persons should have increased urgent family leave.
The government should begin the process of establishing the Minimum Wage Commission by the end of this year.
People who work on Sundays should be granted an overtime rate of two hours pay for one hour’s work, while those who work on public holidays should be paid triple.
The GWU called for reforms in legislation for employment and industrial relations.
There were also calls to begin a national discussion in order for every worker to form part of a union, with Mr Bugeja insisting that the union hears many cases of abuse against employees who are not unionised.
Economy, education, and infrastructure
On Air Malta, the GWU said, the government should do everything in order for the country to benefit from the services of the national airline, which will preserve our connectivity to the European continent and other regions.
It said that night-time public transport should be provided in industrial zones, and create direct bus routes from the zones to villages.
The free childcare service should operate 24 hours a day to help those involved with shift work.
There should be an educational campaign on Bitcoin and blockchain, while workers’ rights and industrial relations should form part of the scholastic curriculum.
Disciplined Corps
The GWU said that currently the Disciplined Corps work 46-hour weeks but get paid for 40. Therfore, it called for the work week to be reduced to 40 hours.
Social projects
Beyond mentioning that the government would need to start substantially investing in social housing, the GWU said that a scheme similar to the Home Ownership Scheme should be implemented.
The controversial scheme, which was introduced in the 1980s, provided land for families to develop their homes which were expropriated from third parties. Many times the owners were paid after many years, if at all.
The government should also extend its scheme with APS Bank to other banks, and increase its subsidies on rent for persons on social benefits. The first-time buyers’ scheme should be continued, while a second-time buyers’ schemes should also be introduced.
Disability
There were calls for a change to the urban infrastructure to better assist disabled persons.
Gozo
With regard to Gozo, the GWU called for the strengthening of interconnectivity cable between the islands, and a greater investment in the education system and infrastructure.
There should also be more investment schemes from Malta Enterprise targetting the tourism industry and other economic sectors.
There were also calls for the investment in a permanent berth for cruise liners, and an investment in Gozo Channel to increase its fleet.
Pensioners
The GWU called for an increase in the maximum pension, and a revision of the basic pension, the spouse’s pension, and the pension for disabled persons.
There should also be an increase in the cost of living adjustment.
Pensions should be calculated according to the individual’s current salary and not on the difference between the individual’s current salary and their highest salary. This, Mr Bugeja explained, benefits part-time workers who hold multiple jobs.
Duty of part time work should be set to a maximum of 40 hours.
Health
The GWU said that accountability should be introduced in the health sector, while health centres should offer their services 24 hours a day.
The government should also invest in the mental health treatment, and increase parking spaces at Mater Dei.
Others
The GWU feels that artists should be given greater help to pursue and improve their skills; while also calling for an increase in open spaces for families.