Zminijietna – Voice of the LeftP.O Box 35 Sliema. SLM1000zminijietna@yahoo.com3rd October 2023Press Statement: Budget 2024: Inequality and control of inflation should be a priority
L-Organizzazzjoni Xellugija Żminijietna stqarret li “l-Baġit 2024 għandu jagħti mportanza l-impatt tal-inflazzjoni fuq il-familji, it-tisħiħ tas-servizzi fil-komunità, l-edukazzjoni u l-ambjent”.
Fir-rigward tal-inflazzjoni, Żminijietna tappella “għal reviżjoni fit-taxxa ta’ dħul li minnha jibbenefikaw il-ħaddiema, u għal żieda fil-paga minima nazzjonali.
Zminijietna ziedet tgħid li “studji varji li jitrattaw l-inugwaljanza soċjali juru li familji bi dħul baxx jonfqu proporzjon akbar mid-dħul tagħhom fuq bzonnijiet bażiċi, ikkomparat ma dawk bi dħul ogħla”.
“Barra minn hekk, il-Gvern għandu jintroduċi miżuri biex jiġġieled il-prattiċi tax-xogħol ta’ sfruttament ta’ ħaddiema barranin”
Fir-rigward tas-servizzi fil-komunità, Żminijietna qalet li “l-Gvern għandu jassisti finanzjarjament lill-organizzazzjonijiet li jittrattaw direttament ma’ nies vulnerabbli fis-soċjetà. Is-sistema tal-‘welfare state’ għandha tissaħħaħ biex tassisti aktar nies filwaqt li skoraġġixxi l-abbuż”.
Bl-istess mod, Żminijietna tħeġġeġ “biex jiżdiedu l-fondi għall-Kunsilli Lokali għaż-żamma ta’ ambjent b’saħħtu u nadif. Spazji ħodor sikuri u miftuħa huma meħtieġa għall-ġid tal-komunità.
Barra minn hekk, il-Kunsilli Lokali għandhom jiżguraw li t-trasport pubbliku jilħaq il-bżonnijiet ta’ persuni b’diżabilità u anzjani, billi jipprovdu konnettività mil-bankini għal tal-linja, u jaraw li ‘bus stops’ jkunu ħielsa minn vetturi pparkjati illegalment”.
Fir-rigward tal-edukazzjoni, il-politika ekonomika tal-Gvern għandha taħdem insinerġija mal-investiment lokali u barrani. Barra minn hekk, il-kurrikulu edukattiv għandu jaħseb għall-impjiegi fl-ekonomija ħadra, ir-riċerka u l-innovazzjoni, li huma kruċjali”.
Mil-lat ambjentali, Żminijietna tħeġġeġ “il-Gvern biex ipoġġi l-ambjent u t-tibdil fil-klima minn ta’ quddiem fil-politika tiegħu. Is-settur tal-enerġija għandu jibqa’ prerogattiva tal-Gvern sabiex jiżgura l-affordabbiltà u s-sigurtà tal-provvista”.
David Pisani
Uffiċjal Relazzjonijiet Pubbliċi
Zminijietna – Leħen ix-Xellug
The Left think-tank organisation Zminijietna stated that “Budget 2024 should give importance to control of inflation, the strengthening of community services, education and the environment”.
With regards to inflation, Zminijietna calls for a revision in ‘income tax brackets’ that will benefit workers, and for an increase in the minimum wage. Studies on social inequality show that lower-income families tend to spend a higher proportion of their income on basic necessities than those with higher income.
Additionally, Government should introduce measures to combat exploitative labour practices of foreign workers”
With regards to the services in the community, Zminijietna said that the “Government should assist financially organizations that deal directly with vulnerable people in society. The welfare state system should be enhanced to assist more people while discouraging abuse”.
Similarly, Zminijietna urges “to increase funds for Local Councils for the upkeep of a healthy and clean environment. Safe and open green spaces are a necessity for the wellbeing of the community.
Furthermore, Local councils should make sure that public transport meets the needs of disabled and elderly people, by providing sidewalks connectivity and ‘bus stops’ that are free from illegal parked vehicles”.
In relation to education, the Government’s economic policies should work in tandem with local and foreign investment demand. Also, the educational curriculum should cater for jobs in the Green sector, research and innovation, which are crucial for a green economy”.
From an environmental point of view, Zminijietna encourages “the Government to make environment and climate change at the forefront of its policies. The energy sector should remain Government’s prerogative to ensure the affordability and security of supply”.
David PisaniPROZminijietna – Voice of the Left