Alternattiva Demokratika yesterday called for cross-party consensus to increase the minimum wage as part of the upcoming Budget proposals.

“This increase is essential because although the economy is doing relatively well in terms of job creation and unemployment levels, many workers are finding it increasingly difficult to make ends meet,” AD chairman Michael Briguglio told a news conference.

“This can have positive economic and social effects in terms of productivity and purchasing power,” he said, reiterating that cost-of-living-adjustments should be made every six months for a more realistic compensation.

As a responsible party, AD held that Government expenditure should be balanced through progressive taxation and other measures, such as taxation from the third vacant property onwards.

General secretary Ralph Cassar also called on the Government to give “a clear sign of confidence” in renewable energy by investing in shifts towards solar and wind energy, and schemes that had universal access.

AD spokeswoman for social policy, Angele Deguara, said Malta required more measures that facilitated vulnerable groups’ access to the labour market, while family-friendly measures should be widely available.

Disability issues were another priority, she said, and the disability pension – which stands at 55 per cent of the minimum wage – should be increased.