Alternattiva Demokratika is proposing an increase in the national and hourly minimum wage, including that for part-timers and contractual workers on a pro-rata basis.

This is one of the party’s 32 proposals for the budget, covering various sectors, namely fiscal and economic policy, social policy and health, environment, energy, transport, animal welfare, culture, youth, sports and foreign policy.

Chairman Michael Briguglio said:

“We are also in favour of improved legislation and policies that encourage the work-life balance such as more affordable and accessible childcare centres, flexible and/or reduced working hours as per workers' choice and equality of rights among workers in public and private sectors.

“Discrimination on various social levels should be confronted not only at work but also in other social spheres.”

AD, he said, was also proposing fiscal measures based on social justice, environmental protection and economic good-sense.

“There should be shifts from tax on labour to tax on environmentally-harmful practices that generate large amounts of waste, pollution and used resources in an unsustainable manner. “

AD was all for fiscal measures on property speculation, from third vacant property onwards.

“Fiscal mechanisms should encourage the renting and selling of properties which are kept vacant for speculation purposes.”

It also proposed financial transaction tax on financial transactions and on windfall profits of banks and financial institutions, curbing financial speculation.

Mr Briguglio said AD was in favour of the widening of the income limit for exemption from income tax for anyone earning less than an amount established following scientific studies, coupled with reduction of income tax for lower and middle income earners.

Government should also take more action to ensure a decrease in medicinal prices, including considering importing them itself alongside importers from the private sector.

AD's proposals can be read in the pdf document attached.