Volt presents 10 proposals for Malta’s 2023 Budget.
Volt presents 10 proposals for Malta’s 2023 Budget.
Addressing the Minimum Wage, Pink Tax, Transparency, Food Security and more.
The political party Volt Malta shares its 10 proposals which the party had sent to the Government earlier this month as part of its public consultation. (can also be found on voltmalta.org/budget2023)
Split into 4 sections, it covers a range of topics focused on poverty alleviation.
Raising the Tide
- Increasing the Minimum Wage to €900 in 2023.
- Reduce the VAT on all Menstrual Products to 0%.
- Increase Stipends + Introduce a Bonus for completing Financial Literacy Courses.
- Base rate to €130 euros
- Increase to €150 upon completion of a financial literacy course
- Prescribed Courses to €200
- Increase to €220 upon completion of a financial literacy course
- High Priority courses to €385
- Increase to €405 upon completion of a financial literacy course
- Base rate to €130 euros
‘‘Malta’s minimum wage is one of the slowest growing in the EU, hasn’t kept pace with the rising cost of living in years and facilitates the exploitation of the least paid of workers among us,’’ remarks Arnas Lasys. Volt Co-President ‘‘There is no evidence of an equivalent increase in inflation when minimum wages are raised.’’
Volt notes that other countries across the EU have significantly raised their minimum wage over the years, some even surpassing Malta.
The party also believes menstrual products are essential products, which should not be taxed (and preferably free). Furthermore, it believes that linking a financial literacy course to additional stipend income, it’ll raise a more fiscally responsible generation.
A Smart State
- Conduct a thorough Audit & Performance Review (via a non-government entity) of the entire public sector + publish the results.
- Develop a State Digital Dashboard of Expenditure.
‘’It’s time to trim the fat where it’s abundant’’ adds Kassandra Mallia, Volt VP, ‘’and the public should have all the tools at its disposal to scrutinise public spending, it’s their money after all’’
Fostering cohesion is Malta’s society
- Fund ‘‘Maltese as a Foreign Language’’ education for refugees, and asylum seekers, and also open for others.
- Fund programmes to teach Maltese & European cultural & civic norms for refugees, and asylum seekers, and also open for others.
‘‘We need to be an open society, not a closed one’’ remarks Alexia DeBono, Volt Co-President ‘‘By ensuring as many people as possible living here feel a part of the community, sharing their lived experiences with their neighbours, we enrich our community with new ideas and solidarity.’’
Greener, Cleaner, Healthier
- Initiate a process of covering all publicly owned buildings in solar panels (were not overshadowed), and create ‘solar rights’.
- Step Up cleanliness, and public education on cleanliness outdoors.
- Create grants & incentives for vertical farms, community gardens and roof gardens.
‘‘With both the pandemic and now the war, we can’t take anything for granted anymore’’ remarks Matthias Portelli, Volt Policy Lead. ‘‘Supply chains can be disrupted and Malta is wholly dependent on importation to sustain itself, especially for sustenance and electricity. We need to ensure that we maximise the amount of food we produce here, spreading knowledge in the process.’’
Volt also notes that there’s a growing issue of pests, be it rodents but also now hornets. It believes that a strong community & state effort are necessary to clean up our streets & habits, which will pay dividends through a more livable island for its nationals, and a more enjoyable experience for visitors.
The party hope the Government will take on some of its proposals for the 2023 Budget.