Government should intensify its fight against precarious work conditions through legislative measures, Caritas said.

In reflections and recommendations on the pre-Budget document, the organisation urged the government to set an adequate statutory minimum wage substantially higher than that of minimum income schemes and invest heavily in the protection of workers in terms of labour market exploitation.

It welcomed reports that the Budget would target low-income earners and the elderly.

It said that while it was positive that there was a low unemployment rate within the local labour market, within the context of active labour market measures, all jobs should render an income that enabled workers to enjoy a stable and decent standard of living.

"Certain types of work do not necessarily mitigate poverty.

"For Caritas Malta decent employment with decent working conditions is a basic right. These conditions imply: job stability, personal safety, fair salary and non-harassment.

"In 2014, in Malta, the share of persons who were in-work but at-risk-of-poverty stood at 5.7 per cent," Caritas said.