Politicians from across the political spectrum should work together to draw up an active labour market policy and pledge to see it through in case of a change of government, the new general secretary of the Union Ħaddiema Magħqudin, Josef Vella, said.
The policy would look into ways to invest in workers’ potential while allowing them a good quality of life that was not based on a “one size fits all” attitude, he said.
Mr Vella added that such a policy would need the input of all political parties and social partners.
He said that it was known that Malta needed a stronger presence of women in the workplace. This required more investment in family-friendly measures that allowed women to work and cope with their children.
The family-friendly measures introduced in the public sector, which included tax incentives and flexi time, were “saturated” and needed more investment, he said.
Mr Vella was addressing the UĦM’s annual general conference when he officially assumed office, succeeding Ġejtu Vella.
There has been a succession in the union’s presidency too, with Ġejtu Tanti handing over to Jesmond Bonello.
During the annual general meeting, held at the Dolmen Hotel, in Qawra, union delegates approved the 2015 vision document entitled People’s Social Vision For Malta.
It notes that the government’s Vision 2015, for Malta to become a centre of excellence in various fields, was strong on economics but lacking on the social aspect.
The union document identifies six themes it says need to be worked on. These include health, the family, education, a better quality of life, democratic institutions and the electronic revolution.
Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi, Opposition Leader Joseph Muscat, and Alternattiva Demo-kratika chairman Michael Briguglio shared their views over the subjects in a debate.
Dr Muscat spoke about the need to implement a tax system that incentivised people to pay it and did not penalise hard working individuals. He believed that tax on income should be cut and instead tax pollution.
Dr Briguglio agreed with the introduction of green taxes adding that AD was in favour of introducing taxes on the speculation of property and attaching meters to boreholes so people paid for the water consumed.
Dr Gonzi said that, over the years, the government had introduced incentives for people to move towards green energy and also for women to return to the labour market.
He said the government was often faced with making “unpopular” decisions, such as increasing the utility rates due to the hike in fuel costs, for the good of the country.