The Budget has a mix of positive and vague measures, Alternattiva Demokratika said, adding that it missed out from taking concrete action in certain social and environmental matters.
Chairman Michael Briguglio said:
“It is positive that in a context of global economic difficulties, the government is aiming to reduce the deficit. Hopefully, the government’s expenditure programme will be more sustainable,”
AD, he said, also agreed that the government should pay workers who undergo training programmes the minimum wage, and that the government should make life easier for people on social assistance who chose to work.
But it also strongly believed in an increase in the national and hourly minimum wage, including that for part-timers and contractual workers on a pro-rata basis.
AD hoped that the government’s enforcement against employers who exploited foreign workers was effective.
Ad agreed with the increase in supplementary and in expenditure for vulnerable groups such as fostered children.
“We would however have expected more expenditure on disabled persons and the inclusion of vulnerable groups such as those with ME and FB for entitlement of disability benefits.
“As regards health, it is also positive that the government shall invest in the Cancer Centre at Mater Dei Hospital.
“In this regard, it is important to note that cancer should also be confronted through better environmental policy which is currently lacking.
“The government should also do much more to tackle costly medicinal prices, including considering importing them itself alongside importers from the private sector.”
AD said it would have been better if the government put even more investment in public education and childcare centres rather than incentivising private education.
AD secretary general Ralph Cassar said:
“As regards environmental policy, we strongly believe that the government should do much more for sustainable development, for example by reactivating the national commission for sustainable development.
“The government’s expenditure on renewable energy is simply not enough, especially when one keeps in mind the dirty fuel which shall be used in the power station extension. Government should also elaborate on the assistance schemes for sustainable energy,” he said.
Mr Cassar said the government should also have introduced fiscal measures on property speculation, from third vacant property onwards, particularly when Malta was a perpetual building site and when a quarter of properties are vacant.
Fiscal mechanisms should encourage the renting and selling of properties which were kept vacant for speculation purposes and the use of existing buildings rather than building more areas.
AD also supported the investment in farmers’ markets and in the animal welfare centre.
It was also positive that the government planned to introduce incentives encouraging cleaner transport.
However, “till now details are too vague to comment in detail,” Mr Cassar said.