Malta should re-join the “Non aligned Movement

 

The Communist Party of Malta said " the 26th Congress of the  non aligned Movement opens today, Thursday in Tehran. Malta was part of this movement under the able leadership of Mintoff, but today Malta no longer takes part ".

 

The Party said that "the decision in 2004 that Malta was no longer a member of this movement, ultimately led to Malta becoming a tool of the imperialist countries. Imperialist policies and actions resulted in wars and the dismemberment of many sovereign countries with the ultimate goal of taking their wealth and natural resources. Mintoff himself had described this policy as the biggest obstacle to world peace ".

 

The Communist Party calls all the progressives in Malta to urge the rejoining of the country to the non aligned movement. The "Non-Aligned Movement" is made up of 120 states and seventeen observers who all consider themselves not aligned with a military power ", stated the Communist Party of Malta.

 

"Former Cuban leader, Fidel Castro has described the purpose and existence of this movement: to ensure the national independence, sovereignty, territorial integrity and security of non-aligned countries. Principles that the Communist Party of Malta embraces ".

Communist Party of Malta comments on the proposed IVF Bill.

 

The Communist Party of Malta supports the decision to introduce legislation with regards to IVF. The fact that the Maltese state will now be offering this service is a step forward, as this will bring more social justice.  

 

“On the other hand, the Party disagrees with the specifications of the proposed bill as this is not taking into consideration the actual needs of the people, plus the fact that this proposed bill is too conservative”.

 

The Communist Party of Malta proposes that IVF treatment should be available to all women irrespective of their social status. This will lead to more gender equality as males could also be single parents through an altruistic surrogate mother.

 

“With regards the regulating of the ovaries in the proposed bill, the Party supports this principle”, concluded the Communist Party of Malta.

 

Communist Party of Malta Salutes Dom Mintoff

 

The Communist Party of Malta Salutes Dominic Mintoff who had passed away on Monday. He had served as Prime Minister of Malta in several legislatures, and also as leader of the Labour Party between 1948 and 1984.

Dominic Mintoff, will always be remembered:,

For the fight for freedom, from British colonialism. This culminated, with the closure, of NATO military bases on Malta.

For social reforms where poverty was completely eradicated, and gave the start for a welfare state system, that led to the Pensions for elderly persons, and widows. Stipends for university students, and Allowance for Children

As well, as the struggle for the freedom of conscience. This had completely changed Malta. Bringing it out of the medieval dark ages, into the twentieth century

.

In this difficult moment we send the Party’s condolences, to his immediate family, to all his friends, and to the Labour Party as Dominic Mintoff for a long time was its leader. We would also like to express the fact that this is also a loss of all Malta

 

The Communist Party of Malta condemns the privatisation of public conveniences.

 

The Communist Party of Malta condemns the decision taken by the local authorities to privatise public conveniences. Up to now two public conveniences in Valletta have been privatised with the blessings of the present Administration. This is just an elitist policy reserving the right to public toilets to those who can afford. 

 

“Public toilets should remain free and accessible to all irrespective of the socio-economic background. This decision will hit badly those persons who for medical reasons need to make use of public toilets more often”, said the Communist Party. 

 

“Disadvantaged persons will also be affected by this regressive measure. Old age persons with low pensions, the unemployed, single mothers, immigrants, children and large families with children will suffer as they will not be in a position to pay”, stated the Communist Party.       

 

“This measure will also affect the environment as people who can’t afford to pay will end up relieving themselves in the streets. This will also affect the hygiene and can be the cause of disease”.

 

The Communist Part of Malta appeals to the authorities to come back to their senses and revise this stupid decision. We also appeal to the general public to boycott these privatised public conveniences in solidarity with those who can’t afford. The Communist Party will launch a campaign against privatisation of public conveniences. We expect other political parties, unions, social and political movements to back this campaign for a more just society.

 

"First Pillar Pension System should be strengthened", Communist Party of Malta"

Some will end up poor

 

The Communist Party of Malta appeals to the pension working group to strengthen the pay-as-you-go-system, so that it guarantees a decent  living after years of work. The neoliberal concept to weaken the first pillar so as to make the second pillar palatable and convince people that a private pension is essential to their future should be dumped by the working group.

 

"Various organisations, such as the unions, the employers and the pension organisations are all infavour of a strategy to reinforce the first pillar pension", said the Party.

 

"The second pillar as envisaged meant, the workers and employers would have to pay a new contribution over and above what they pay under the PAYE system to the benefit of private insurance companies", stated the Party.

 

“Other concerns which we feel the working group should address are the issue of precarious employment and low wage vis-a-vis pension sustainability and adequacy. In real terms, a large number of our workforce, mostly the young, women and people socially deprived will reach the pensionable age with less than 40 years contribution. This will result in poverty amongst future pensioners”, stated the Communist Party.

 

The Communist Party of Malta condemns the right wing repression in Moldova.

Communist party leader, gestures during a press conference in Chisinau. 

The Communist Party of Malta joins The Party of the European Left (EL) in resolutely condemning a ban imposed by the Moldovan Parliament on communist symbols and introduction of sanctions for their use.

The decision taken by the ruling majority in Moldova aims at the dismantling of the largest democratic political force in the country, the Moldovan Party of Communists (PCRM). The sickle and hammer are an integral part of the political identity of the communist movement. Depriving the Moldovan opposition of its symbols will seriously limit the framework for its political activities.

The Communist Party of Malta condemns the repression applied by the neo-fascist right-wing regime which has been established in last election in the Republic of Moldova. The regime is carrying repressive policies including the closing down of opposition TV channels, prosecution of dissent and opponents of the regime, a ban on carrying out the May Day demonstration and the sanctions against participants in peace protest rallies, pursuing the policy of language and ethnic discrimination, glorification of war criminals, destruction of the communist opposition.

The European Left demands from the European Union leadership to stop the policy of silent support to the antidemocratic repressive regime in Moldova. The Communist party regard such developments as complicity in crimes against democracy, against basic human rights and freedoms. The Party notes that the UE is very quick to condemn and impose sanctions against governments who do not bow down to their diktat.

The Moldovan Communists’ symbols are symbols of many European left member parties too. The Communist Party of Malta express its solidarity with the Moldovan Party of Communists, with their voters and with all Moldovan people in their resistance to the criminal regime and in their fight for democracy.

We appeal to the international community, to all progressive political forces in Europe and worldwide to condemn the political reprisals in Moldova, and to take concrete measures for restoration of the rule of law and democracy in this country, which is in the process to join the European union. 

The Communist Party of Malta condemns the renewal of Maltco License.

The Communist Party of Malta condemns the position taken by the present administration to renew the contract of Maltco Lotteries on the eve of a general election. The decision to extend this contract should have been left for the new administration.   

“Public lotto should have never been privatised. Today the majority of the profits are going in the hands of a foreign private company. When it was state run, the profits went directly to the government who in return used them to subsidise social services. In real terms this was a social concept”, said the Communist Party.

“The recent reform in lotto prices and the winnings show that the company is after maximum profits. The ‘good causes’ fund is only an excuse for the government to hide behind it, and is using this fund to alienate civil society. We appeal to civil society to have a social conscience and not participate in such schemes” stated the Communist Party of Malta.    

“Parliament should follow the example of Cyprus where there the Government is against the policy of privatisation of public lottery. The Cypriot government believes that a growing gambling culture is harmful to society”, concluded the Communist Party of Malta.