SOS Malta has criticised the national strategy for social protection and inclusion which, it said, failed to come up with concrete timeframes.

"Spell out what is going to be done, by when and with what financial resources and budget methodologies... develop plans not reports," the voluntary organisation said in its reaction document.

The report, intended to map out the plan for the next two years, should be revisited before it is submitted to the European Commission, stressed SOS Malta, which has compiled a critical reaction funded by the European Anti-Poverty Network.

It said the report failed to address specific commitments for the 2010 EU Year Against Poverty and ignored the plight of the people who will end up in poverty due to high energy prices.

The strategy should guarantee a decent minimum wage for a dignified life, regardless of job status, it said.

SOS Malta called for action to challenge the discrimination of migrants and promote diversity. It said that while the document spoke of the needs of immigrants it ignored other vulnerable groups, such as single mothers, former criminals, widows and widowers, lesbians, gays, bisexuals and transgender people and the homeless.

It felt the government should financially support NGOs to help them develop more effective partnerships.