‘Dynamic economy and investment in people continue to improve workers’ conditions’ – PM
Prime Minister Robert Abela said that a dynamic economy accompanied by investment in people, will continue to improve workers’ conditions, he told the General Workers’ Union National Council.
Abela said that the creation of opportunities, help and investment in people and more reforms that strengthen the rights of workers remain three principles that will continue to be embraced in government’s work, during a meeting with members of the National Council of the GWU.
At the Workers' Memorial Building in Valletta, Abela said that the country must continue to create the opportunities enjoyed by Maltese and Gozitan workers. He said that with a dynamic economy, government can continue to improve workers' conditions and continue to push social mobility.
He said that support given to workers includes strategic decisions government is taking by keeping energy prices stable, adding that the aid is the largest measure government is taking to avoid putting the burden on the public.
Abela said that the Opposition wants to remove this government policy.
He said that many measures were carried out to strengthen workers’ conditions, such as the in-work benefit, which saw a substantial increase in workers’ income compared to a few years ago.
Abela said that the in-work benefit will continue to improve in the coming budgets, as promised in the PL programme. He said that the children’s allowance, which was already recently increased, will continue to be given and improved.
He said that more changes and reforms are being carried out to further strengthen workers' rights, mentioning the improvements on parental and carers' leave, the reform of platform workers and the establishment of the Low Wage Commission, whose aim is to review the national minimum wage.
Abela gave words of courage and appreciation to the workers present at the council. The council was also attended by Economy Minister Silvio Schembri, Environment Minister Miriam Dalli, as well as the leadership and secretaries of the GWU and respective sections.