PN proposes measures to support households in handling impacts of crisis

The Nationalist Party has proposed a number of measures to support households in handling the impacts arising out of the COVID-19 crisis.

Nationalist MP Claudio Grech said that the “Opposition has been responsible in ensuring that top priority is being given to public health considerations. The attitude adopted has been a positive and pro-active one, based on extensive research and advice from several expertise.”

Grech made reference to the latest social measures which were announced by the government on Thursday. He made an appeal that people should follow and abide by the directives given by the health authorities. However, Grech said that the “government should avoid backtracking on measures and divergent interpretations, as it only confuses people. This is not a time for confusion as several people might already be panicking, thus it will only worsen the situation.”

“Social distancing is a very important and critical factor that everyone needs to abide by in order to contain virus transmission,” Grech said. Although social distancing will be very helpful in fighting against COVID-19, it will also cause disruptions within the economy and a change in the way society will operate.

Grech added that “a clearer and more just definition should be presented by the government to citizens with regards to who exactly is affected by this crisis. The government decided to be selective and only choose industries which affect 60,000 people, out of the 164,000 persons who work within the private sector.”

For this reason “we have proposed that the employees who should benefit are the employees deemed to be materially impacted by the COVID-19 crisis. This should include enterprises, employees or self-employed who experience a revenue or cash flow drop by more than 50%,” Gauci said.

The first proposed measure is to extend full employment aid to all materially impacted employees.

Gauci stated that “this measure will save our economy. Thus, if the government does not take immediate action it might be all too late and several businesses will risk ending up in an irreparable state.”

The second proposed measure is to reduce household utility bills by at least 50% with effect from 9 March 2020.

“With all these measures and directives given to citizens by the health authorities and the government, several people are staying at home. Thus, everyone is consuming more electricity and water, ultimately increasing their utility bills. This consumption might also lead people to reach different consumptions bans,” Gauci said.

“The excuses made by the Ministry for Finance are unacceptable

The third proposed measure relates to education and how it is affecting several households. This involves supporting church, private schools and extra-curricular providers.

Gauci said that “we do not afford to lose such institutions, thus the government should help them the same way it is helping state institutions.”

The fourth and fifth proposed measures involve a moratorium in private and housing authority rents

Nationalist MP Bartolo stated that “one can be poor but not live in solitude, but live in solitude and be rich. This is the moment to change the way we think and ultimately the way we live. During this period we should help each other as much as we can,” he said.

The sixth proposed measure involves organising a platform to support the vulnerable

“Technology is greatly being used during this time to continue with our lives. However, it can also be used to help others during such difficult times,” Bartolo said.

The seventh proposed measure is to fund a programme for NGOs to provide support to the elderly and vulnerable.

Bartolo thanked all the non-government organisations for the continuation of their extensive work, despite the circumstances we are currently living in. “For this reason we need to appreciate, maintain and care for them as much as possible.”

The eighth proposed measure involves a scheme and incentives to support foodbanks.

Bartolo stated that during this pandemic “we all need to be aware of what needs to be done not only for our future but also to get out of the situation we currently are in.”

Nationalist MP Karl Gouder proposed three more measures which he said “are not as grand when it comes to cash injections, but are measures which might make a difference in our lives.”

Gouder said that the “ninth proposed measure involves an agreement between the government and commercial banks in order to provide home loan and buy-to-let moratoriums.”

He added that “this should be done for employees and self-employed who were drastically affected by the coronavirus in order to allow people to concentrate on what is essential in such circumstances and not add extra pressure.”

The tenth proposed measure involves a one-time grant to the elderly to get connected.

“During this time many people are staying at home, and there are also many people, including elderly who might be spending all this time alone. Therefore, for this reason there should be a one-time grant to buy a technological device in order to help the elderly remain connected,” Gouder said.

“The final proposed measure is a campaign to avoid abuse in pricing of essential items,” Gouder said. This should be done as to inform people with the actual prices. He added that abuse in pricing of essential items is very unfair and impacting negatively within families.”

He said that “if such a campaign is not effective, the government should consider in announcing measures which are more restrictive.”