Raise the minimum wage - AD

Alternattiva Demokratika has expressed concern over the national minimum wage, which is the 12th lowest in a comparative table of 20 EU countries drawn up by the European Industrial Relations Observatory.

AD said the fact that Malta's minimum wage (€601 per month) was low was even more worrying considering the increase in Malta's cost of living, resulting in excess burdens on workers of various categories and their families.

"AD is the only political party which is proposing an increase in the minimum wage to make up for excess burdens. In return, (the) government can also strive to reduce non-essential non-wage costs to employers. We are also proposing a better methodology to measure cost of living increases as well as tax credits," the party said.

AD chairman Arnold Cassola dismissed concerns that an increase in the minimum wage would be bad for Maltese business.

"We believe that the government can take appropriate measures to ensure that an increase in the minimum wage does not impinge on Malta's competitiveness," he said.