Caritas Malta has urged the political parties to give a new, realistic definition of the poverty line based on current conditions in Malta and considering not only income but also the resources needed by every person to purchase essential goods and services.

The movement, which last year called for a review of the minimum wage, said in election proposals to the parties that the State had a responsibility to ensure that all people had a decent standard of living, with income at least covering their essential needs. .

Special attention needed to be given to families who were disadvantaged because of unemployment, precarious work, illness, debt and other social conditions, as well as those who were unable to manage their money well.

The movement said that legal, economic and social protection needed to be given to all families. Those who were in a precarious economic situation should be given access to decent housing at rents which reflected their income. 

Particular attention also needed to be given to the children in such families so that this social problem would not grow and become more serious..

Caritas also underlined the importance of jobs, saying that work was a right and a duty for all people. It said that  wages should be fair and should not be below the level needed for a decent standard of living for the workers and their families.