PL's MEPs to disclose use of finances

Labour MEPs are to be bound by a code of ethics and will have to disclose how they make use of their allowances.

Transparency will be one of the main driving forces of Labour candidates elected to the European Parliament, party leader Joseph Muscat said as he launched his party's MEP electoral manifesto in preparation for next month's elections.

Such transparency rules, which are also part of the Nationalist Party's plans, are intended to counter the prevailing perception in Europe that MEPs siphon allowances, such as those received for travel and hotel accommodation, into their personal bank accounts.

The rules will coincide with the introduction of a new statute for all MEPs. The statute - which will include a 540 per cent increase in the salary of Maltese MEPs - will revise the way allowances are granted.

Mr Muscat said Labour candidates would also hold mandatory public meetings every six months to keep the nation updated on what they were doing and to listen to what people had to say.

Labour's 12 MEP candidates made up a "strong team" who could identify with all Maltese and Gozitans as they came from various walks of life.

"People out there are disappointed by the broken promises of (Prime Minister) Lawrence Gonzi... In our campaign we are not presenting the people with empty promises or posters but we are giving them 18 concrete points they can then hold us accountable for," Dr Muscat said.

Clutching the manifesto, he went through the points citing the three main important issues to be addressed as employment, cost of living and illegal immigration.

Labour MEPs would bring pressure to bear to ensure anyone who lost their job would be given a bank moratorium on home loans; funds would be allocated to train unemployed in green jobs; employees would be able to work as much overtime as they pleased; and funds would be allocated for childcare centres.

His party would also push the 20-point action plan it had drawn up to tackle illegal immigration.

"Malta should shoulder its share of the problem but not more than that," he said, adding that his party had already been assured of the support of the European Socialist Group.

Listing other priorities, Dr Muscat turned to health. Labour would work to ensure that those who were "withering away" on a waiting list would have to be operated on in the state hospital by a set date or have a right to treatment in another hospital.

He said his party would carry on with its mission to ensure that VAT charged on car registration tax was refunded.

The party would address the poor state of the roads by ensuring the government was held responsible for the damage motorists endured due to its negligence.

As for Gozo, Labour would ensure there was an office representing the European Parliament there. The party would also work to address climate change in Malta and increase the opportunities offered to students and young people.

Labour incumbents John Attard Montalto, Glenn Bedingfield and Louis Grech will be contesting the June MEP elections together with Claudette Abela Baldacchino, Steve Borg, Maria Camilleri, Joseph Cuschieri, Sharon Ellul Bonici, Kirill Micallef Stafrace, Marlene Mizzi, Edward Scicluna and Christian Zammit.