UHM wants action on rising cost of living

The Union Haddiema Maghqudin is to continue working closely with the people to understand what families were going through and it encouraged ministers and parliamentary secretaries to do the same.

Speaking during an activity for members, general secretary Gejtu Vella said the international recession had reached Malta and many were feeling a drop in their standard of living.

Although the situation was tough, he said, it could be overcome.

Mr Vella said that although inflation had started to drop in recent months, the Maltese were worried at the rising cost of living.

One would have expected prices to drop more quickly in view of the recession. So what was keeping them high, he asked adding that for the next budget, the UHM would be insisted on a machinery to investigate market, including medicine, prices, including.

The UHM would also be insisting that the country continued to develop the people’s abilities. The budget also had to address the lower standard of living.

Mr Vella said that the government should not be afraid of stating facts. The economic crisis and international financial situation were not its fault but their effects needed to be discussed and analysed well.