Labour presents proposals on key issues

Opposition leader Alfred Sant yesterday made public the proposals from five finalised reports drawn up by the party that are being debated at the party's annual general conference next weekend.

The vision statements, which were discussed internally and externally and enjoyed broad consultation, deal with inter-related issues of the family, the elderly, youths, gender equality, work conditions, and outline the projects a Labour government would aim to implement from the social point of view.

Touching on the key proposals and policies of each extensive report, Dr Sant said the MLP in power would furnish the National Family Commission with the resources and structures it required and that were currently lacking, while the Commissioner for Children would be given the effective role of ombudsman to act as a watchdog on government entities to safeguard children's rights.

Reduced working hours, flexi time, teleworking and other family-friendly work practices would also be priorities on a Labour government's agenda, all with the good of children in mind, Dr Sant stressed.

As regards the elderly, local councils would be encouraged to establish a register for them in the community to be able to offer better and more efficient services; day centres would be strengthened and a pilot project for night centres embarked on, with a focus on the concept of fostering.

The gardens of St Vincent De Paul residence for the elderly would be upgraded and a recreation area developed, with other amenities introduced to improve quality of life, Dr Sant pointed out.

In the case of gender equality, the MLP planned to pass a law to regulate childcare facilities and establish others, while measures would be introduced to move in the direction of a "symmetrical" family, with a focus on having more women in decision-making roles.

Young people, on the other hand, would benefit from the establishment of a national fund for continuous training, with tax benefits, exemptions, incentives and schemes aimed at young couples buying their first residence, or setting up businesses.

Highlighting the main points, Dr Sant said the labour market would be tackled by attacking the cost of living, while conditions for part-time work would be made comparable to full-time employment.

The Employment and Training Corporation, he said, would be reformed to focus more on training and job placements, rather than wasting its resources on enforcement, with the exploration of the possibility of replacing it with a public-private partnership.

The MLP was also organising fringe meetings on the five issues over the next few days in the run-up to its annual general conference, Dr Sant said.