Caritas Malta has urged the Government to ensure equal access to social benefits in the Budget next month.

In a statement yesterday, the philanthropic support group called on the Government not to limit social incentives for families of lower economic backgrounds.

The NGO’s council said that vulnerable individuals and families were being excluded from financial and environmental incentives. Earlier this year, Caritas founder Mgr Victor Grech said initiatives for products such as photovoltaic panels or AAA appliances were often inaccessible to those who could not afford to front a share of the cost.

Access to such incentives, he said, was particularly important for low-income individuals as they allowed fuller participation in national development.

It applauded the social aims put forward in the pre-Budget document, published last August, and hoped these would be met to the fullest extent.

The organisation also reiterated its insistence on equal employment opportunities.

It said that while an increased effort was needed to ensure decent wages, employees also had a right to decent working conditions and fair treatment.

“No competent and hardworking employees should be made to feel discriminated against.

“This will allow them to exercise their civic role freely within the rest of society,” Caritas said.