Budget for the well off.

 

The Communist Party of Malta notes that the measures announced in the Budget 2013 are mainly aimed at facilitating the well to do sectors of society. This neoliberal concept will widen the social gap between those who have and those who have not. 

 

"The tax and financial benefits announced from 35% to 25% favour only the well off in society to the detriment of all the other categories, such as pensioners, workers on low and middle income, single mothers and disabled persons," stated the Party.

 

"Again the government failed to introduce sufficient measures to tackle the rise in poverty in Malta. On the other hand the Party praises the government’s decision to continue to subsidise energy to prevent any increases in tariffs", continued the Party.

"The working class will be carrying the burden for the financial sustainability of this budget," concluded the Party.  

 

HMS Illustrious visit to Malta exposes Government’s Hypocrisy.

The HMS Illustrious visit to Malta exposes the imperialist agenda in the Middle East. This strategy involves the financial, military and diplomatic support to Israel by Western countries.

“Between 2008 and 2012 the British government licensed arms exports to Israel amounting to £130 million. By selling arms to Israel, the British government is giving direct material support for Israel's aggression against the people of Palestine and is sending a clear message of approval for its actions”.

The Communist Party of Malta deplores the hypocrisy of the Maltese Government to allow British Naval Forces to make use of our port, when Palestinian people are being killed in Gaza. Government should hold a clear position with regards to Palestine.

We call other organisations to appeal to the government to stop supporting imperialist countries and to show more respect to the Palestinian people. The attack on Gaza is an aggression on all Palestinians.  

Communist Party condemns Israeli attacks on Gaza.

 

The Communist Party of Malta condemns the military attacks on Gaza. More than 250 strikes have been launched against the Palestinians, killing and injuring civilians, which include women and children.

 

“Israel committed similar aggression against Gaza in December 2008 which resulted in the deaths of 1,400 Palestinian. In this aggression, the Israeli military made use of ‘white phosphorus’ cluster bombs, a chemical banned by the International Community. Schools and hospitals were the main targets”.  

 

“The criminal siege by Israel on Gaza continues to affect the supply of basic necessities such as food and medicine. Reports available indicate that hospitals are running out of medicine. Power and water supplies have been cut to the 1.7 million Gaza residents”.

 

We call upon the Maltese government to close down the Maltese Embassy in Tel Aviv, in solidarity with the people of Gaza, until these Israeli aggressions come to a halt.

 

The Communist Party of Malta joins up with other communist and workers party in supporting the struggle of the Palestinian people against the Israeli occupation. For an independent, viable, sovereign Palestinian state within the 1967 borders with East Jerusalem as its capital.

 

“The 2013 Budget should address social inequality”

The Communist Party of Malta said that, “the 2013 government expenditure budget should address social inequality which is raising its head. The austerity measures that were introduced along the years have brought about a reduction in the standard of living to families with low and middle income. European Statistic show that 15% of the Maltese population are at risk of poverty, of whom 20% are children.

“The privatisation of gas and other essential commodities results in higher prices for the consumer. The same has happened to the basic consumption of the use of energy". The Party continued that "the Government should revise his privatisation policies on services that are essential to the consumer, and should also introduce progressive measures in the consumption of energy to safeguard basic consumption, while penalising waste”.

“With regards to measures in relation to work, the Party stresses for an increase in the national minimum wage; investment for the creation of free child care centres; amendments in work regulations so that new employment is based on a decent and regular work conditions, and better law enforcement on the private sector to introduce more family-friendly measures”.

“Regarding the pension reform, the Government should address the chaotic situation where pensioners are being separated into two categories, where the present pensioners are being excluded from the reform. The Government’s policy should be one that strengthens the state basic pension, so any dependence on the second pillar is excluded”.

The Communist Party understands that the consolidation of the social structure requires a sustainable taxation system. For this reason the Party objects to the proposal for a reduction in the national income tax-maximum rate, from 35% to 25%. Furthermore the Party envisages for progressive taxation on speculations and windfall profits. The mechanism against tax evasion should also be strengthened. A just society requires a just taxation system.

The Communist Party condemns Valletta Local Council’s position.

 

The Communist Party of Malta condemns the position taken by the Valletta Local Council for approving the privatisation of a Public Convenience. This public convenience was renovated with public funds.

 

The Party deems the position taken by the Local Council as anti-social. It is a fact, that this kind of decisions result in obstructing the free access to the public, especially if the person does not have the money to pay. The Local Council failed to provide an alternative solution to these people. 

 

"We sense that the Local Council has lost its social conscience in the operation of public facilities. It’s good to know if this decision has the public support, when it is clear that no public consultation was ever made in this regard", stated the Communist Party.

 

The Party calls on the general public to join the petition on line http://www.change.org/petitions/valleta-local-council-stop-the-privatisation-of-public-conveniences, so to put more pressure on the Council to review its position and give full access to public toilets.

Communist Party against the renting of St Philip's Hospital

“The government’s decision, not to put the St Philip's Hospital renting question for a parliamentary vote,  is to be condemned, as the general elections date is near and, it is clear that the government does not enjoy a majority in parliament”.

The Party states that “in questions of national interest, were public funds are concerned, a parliamentary debate and vote is obligatory. The arguments brought about by the Minister of Health not to put this matter to a parliamentary vote are not justifiable”.

The Party stresses, “that government’s decision to rent St Philip's Hospital and at the same time invest public funds for its improvement, is a bad decision”.This case is another instance where the private sector who laments  states' involvement in the economy and wants all the services privatised,  pretends that the state forkes out the tax payer's money to save the private investment when this faces a financial crisis.

The Communist Party is of the opinion that if a decision is taken about the transferring of St Philip's Hospital, this should be purchased so any investment in it will remain public. 

“St Luke's Hospital should also be included in future government’s plans towards public health investments”, concluded the Communist Party. 

Venezuela’s Left victory.

 

The Communist Party of Malta described the Presidential election results in Venezuela as a victory for all the working people in Latin America and the further strengthening of Socialism and Democracy.

 

“The reaffirmation of Hugo Chavez as President of Venezuela distances the country from the re-emergence of its right wing dictatorial past”.

 

“The continued popularity of the government has been attributed in part to the implementation of social reforms which provides free health, education and subsidised food to the population, as well initiatives aimed at deepening citizens’ political participation”.

 

“The opposition candidate, Henriques Capriles comes from a party which had a history of paramilitary fascist squads, where countless of left wing activists, indigenous people and trade unionist were assassinated. Henriques Capriles also supported the 2002 military coup against the democratically elected Hugo Chavez”.

 

“Venezuela has the largest oil reserves in the world and is a prize that the multinationals and their puppet governments would like to get their hands on. Capriles was their tool, dedicated to the restoration of neo-liberal economic policies, privitisations and the return to elitist rule by the minority Venezuelans of European origin”, concluded the Communist Party of Malta.