Minimum wage ought to be raised

Żminijietna – Voice of the Left criticises the continuous “antisocial” argument put forward by the social partners on the business side that an increase in the minimum wage will undermine competitiveness and will be bad for the economy.

One should keep in mind that the middle and upper classes can today distinguish themselves thanks to the militancy shown in the past by the workers in their struggle for the introduction of the minimum wage. The classification of a minimum wage standard brought about a social justice concept and also gave a value to work.

The fact that the economic system also depends on workers employed with a minimum wage means that their value of work is an important factor to the economy.

We believe that this should be addressed by a measure that would increase their minimum wage. The present rate of the minimum wage is basically low, with many families depending on this living at the risk of poverty and also some below the poverty line, apart from the reality of the inferior working conditions they are employed in.

Żminijietna maintains its argument in favour of an increase in the minimum wage in the next Budget 2011. It is imperative to appreciate the value of the work of these people and remember that they also have a family to sustain. The fact that it was a Left government that introduced the minimum wage, we also believe the Left can only bring about an increase in the minimum wage.

Alternattiva Demokratika - the Green Party, the Communist Party of Malta, the General Workers’ Union and Union Ħaddiema Magħqudin have all came out in favour of an increase in the minimum wage.