PR Budget 1911

The Communist Party of Malta urges the Government that the Budget 2011 should address the problem of poverty and social inequality facing every day the Maltese families. The Gonzi Administration is responsible for introducing slowly heavy austerity measures on the Maltese population during these last few years.

“We believe that the problem of the ‘national deficit’ should no longer be carried by the working and middle class, but a fiscal policy should be applied to the upper classes, tax evaders and the financial sector.”

The Communist Party of Malta believes that the real factors for the increase in social inequality are related mainly to the problem of high cost price and loan rates on property prices bought by young couples, the reduction in social benefits and state subsidies, as well as the reduction in value of wages and pensions. Government needs to address these aspects by implementing adequate social policies and measures to improve the standard of living.

The Government should also address the problem of precarious employment as soon as possible, as this problem is undermining the standard of living which the working people had made sacrifices and struggled for during the past years. We appeal that the income tax should not be reduced as others quarters are demanding, but on the contrary we believe that the rate of 35% should rise to 40% in order to have sustainability of the 'welfare state’, which until now was the main factor leading to the improved standard of living.

The Communist Party of Malta calls on the Government to change its anti-social direction and together with the Trade Unions implement a package of social measures to give a new breath to the Maltese families. Electricity and water rates should not be used to offset this Government’s erroneous neo liberal policies.

The Communist Party of Malta, on the ‘Working Time Directive’

The Communist Party of Malta criticises the ‘Working Time Directive’ as being vague and very open to various interpretations.

The Communist Party of Malta believes that the way the directive was formulated, is a direct threat to increase the 40 hour week to a 48 hour week work, as this directive refers only to working hours per week and not to overtime. The name given to this directive confirms our concern. Communist and other Workers Parties represented in the European Union Left Group are of the same opinion. Trade Unions of a Communist leaning are also objecting to this directive.

“The fact that part-time employment as an extra job is not included in this directive and the fact that the worker can be obliged to work more than a 48 hour week, as long as the average overtime is not more than 8 hour per week, over a period of three months, uncovers the hidden agenda that exists to change the 40 hour week, work legislation”.

The Communist Party of Malta in favour of decreasing the 40 hour week to a 35 hour week without a decrease in pay. This will translates into more family time for the workers, improves in health and safety and an increase in new jobs.

Victor Degiovanni

Secretary

The Communist Party of Malta’s position regards Gaddafi and the Immigration

The Communist Party of Malta notes that the immigration issue is not only a humanitarian problem but also an economic one. The problem is also connected directly to global climate change migration.

The fact that Libyan Leader Gaddafi highlighted the issue during his visit to Italy shows that the problem is not limited to Europe but also to several other countries, mainly in North Africa . Any solution proposed to this problem must not be used for ‘cheap’ political aims and should respect human rights. This appeal is directed towards the European Union, where the present actions by the French Government against the Rom people are to be condemned.

The Communist Party of Malta recognises that the North African countries are facing the same problems, among them Libya , Tunisia , Egypt andMorocco

The fact the European Union is resorting to “money” to solve part of the problem shows that there are no real solutions and no political will to show solidarity with the immigrants and the peoples of North Africa . The idea of a “Fortress Europe” seems to be the only agenda of the EU.

The Communist Party of Malta believes that emigration is a global phenomenon which cannot be ignored. UE countries must understand that the opening of frontiers is essential to solve part of the problem.

Such an opening will mean the creation of a multi-cultural society where tolerance and respect will reign supreme, particularly in the field of religion, traditions and even food consumption.

Libyan leader Gaddafi comments in Italy should be considered in the context of free speech, so dear to the Western ideas.

The Communist Party of Malta proposals on Pension reform

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The Communist Party of Malta appeals the general public to study and analyse closely what is being proposed with regards to the pension reform.

“The fact that the report on pension reform was prepared by a private entity does not augur well that pensions will remain guaranteed by the State. If this was not so, private consultants would not have been engaged to prepare the report”.

“Neo liberal Governments are trying to make us believe that the pension crisis is blamed on longer life spans, but this is only a myth. The real problem to the lack of funds for an adequate pension scheme is due to the bankruptcy of the neo liberal economic fiscal policies, which brought about precarious employment.

The Communist Party of Malta notes that the European Governments, amongst them the Maltese Government are not willing to sustain policies on social justice.

The fact the Nationalist Government is going to bring in the private sector to administer the second compulsory pillar scheme is a clear indication that the State wants to abdicate from the Social responsibility. This is the same method used by Margaret Thatcher Administration in UK back in the 1970’s, which proved to be a failure.

The Communist Party of Malta believes that the real reforms should lead to actual solutions, whereby the State pension fund is increased by a specific generated income.

“The solutions recommended should not be of a burden on the workers. We suggest a minimal increase in social contributions, both by the workers and the employers. Increase in taxation on the financial and banking sector of 5% on the profits accumulated. More control on tax evasion should also be enforced. Companies with at least 20% of their payroll on part-time work should be subject to a ten percent increase in their employer’s social contribution, so to increase governments’ revenue through social contributions and to address the present abusive system of part-time work. Jobs created should be on a full-time basis, with job security and decent pay. While Family-friendly measures should be encouraged so to address the problem of low women participation rate.”

The solutions that are being proposed by the European Union Commission are regressive as these include the increase in retirement age up to 70 years, more austerity measures, privatization of public services and more cuts in social services.

The Communist Party of Malta appeals to the Left wing Parties and Movements in Malta to continue to militate in favour of a State guaranteed pension mechanism where the 40years contribution be reduced to 35 years. ‘Second compulsory pillar scheme’ or partly privatization of the system is not the solution, but a more just fiscal mechanism that ensures an adequate generated income for the State to sustain pensions and social services.

Clarification on Orizzont Interview

Ittra: “Il-Qawmien mill-ġdid tal-Komunisti”

L-ewwel ħaġa rrid nirringrazzja lis-Sur Gaetano Micallef ta’ l-intervista li għoġbu jagħmilli u li xxandret fil-pubblikazzjoni ta’ l-Orizzont ta’ nhar it-Tnejn, 12 ta’ Lulju taħt it-titlu “Il-Qawmien mill-ġdid tal-Komunisti”. Nixtieq nagħti prosit lis-Sur Gaetano Micallef għall-mod professjonali ta’ kif wassal din l-intervista .

Ħafna minn dak li ntqal matul din l-intervista jagħti l-impressjoni żbaljata dwar kif iħares lejn ix-xenarju politiku l-Partit Komunista Malti llum. Dan ma huwa tort ta ħadd, forsi għaliex il-mistoqsijiet kienu aktar ta’ natura storika, fejn jien kelli nirrispondi għall-mistoqsijiet relatati mal-passat ta’ żmien il-gwerra bierda, u anki qabel.

Il-Partit Komunista Malti jixtieq jiċċara xi punti mal-qarrejja ta’ dan il-ġurnal. L-ewwel nett, il-Partit Komunista Malti mhuwiex partit Stalinista, u qatt ma kien. Il-Partit Komunista Malti twaqqaf fl-1969 meta l-era Stalinista kienet ila ferm li spiċċat.

Il-Partit Komunista Malti jemmen li għandu jimmilita f’ambitu ta’ soċjeta plurali. Xhieda ta’ dan hi li l-Partit kien ikkontesta l-elezzjoni Ġenerali ta’ l-1987.

Preżentament il-Partit Komunista Malti qed jaħdem fi sfera nternazzjonali ma’ Partiti Komunisti u Xellugin favur Ewropa Soċjali. Dan qed jagħmlu billi jipparteċipa f’diversi fora u b’kuntatti diretti ma’ diversi Partiti Komunisti u Xellugin rappreżentati fil-Parlament Ewropej. Fosthom Die Linke (The Left) fil-Ġermanja, the Portugal Left Block, l-AKEL li huwa l-partit fil-Gvern ġewwa Ċipru, ma’ KKE it-tielet l-ikbar Partit fil-Greċja u oħrajn.

Lokalment qed naħdmu ma organizzazzjonijiet oħra xellugin. Xhieda ta’ dan hi l-Gazetta Żminijietna li fil-passat kienet l-organu tal-Partit Komunista. Din illum hija amministrata minn kumitat indipendenti ta’ nies b’idejal xellugi li ġejjin minn kull sfera tas-soċjeta, kif ukoll mill-Partit Laburista, l-Alternattiva Demokratika, Trejdjujins. Sintendi l-PKM huwa wkoll rapprezentant f’dan il-kumitat .

Il-Partit Komunista Malti iħares ukoll b’mod miftuħ lejn l-avvenimenti progressivi u soċjali li qegħdin jseħħu fl-Amerika Latina, fejn diversi pajjiżi fosthom il-Veneżwela, l-Urugwaj, il-Bolivja, l-Ekwador u oħrajn inspirati mir-Rivoluzzjoni Kubana qegħdin jeleġġu gvernijiet xellugin fejn anki l-Partiti Komunisti qed ikunu nvoluti f’dan il-proċess u qegħdin isiru rebhiet kbar kontra l-oligarkiji li fil-passat kienu jaħkmu b’dittatorjati Faxxisti appoġġjati mill-Istati Uniti.

Il-Partit Komunista Malti ser jkompli jaħdem fi sfera Ewropeja fl-interess tal-klassi tal-ħaddiema, il-konsumatur, il-pensjonanti u nies oħra emarġinati. Li hu zgur, il-Partit Komunista Malti mhux ser jappoġġja l-politika neo liberali mħaddma mill-Partiti tal-lemin u ser jkompli jaħdem favur sistema ekonomika soċjali u ġusta.

Nirringrazzjak ta’ l-ispazju li għoġbok tagħtini sabiex nagħmel din il-kjarifikazzjoni.

Interview in Maltese daily L-ORIZZONT

Il-qawmien mill-ġdid tal-Komunisti
minn Victor Degiovanni, Segretarju tal-Partit Komunista Malti

Fl-aħħar jiem il-Partit Komunista Malti ħareġ diversi stqarrijiet li ssorprendew lil bosta proprju għax ħafna ħasbu li dan il-partit ma kienx għadu jeżisti. GAETANO MICALLEF iltaqa’ ma’ VICTOR DEGIOVANNI, is-Segretarju tal-Partit, beix jara għaliex wara diversi snin reġgħu tfaċċaw fix-xena politika lokali.



Għaliex erġajtu waqqaftu l-Partit Komunista Malti?

Biex inkun preċiż mhux erġajna waqqafnih. Konna diġà neżistu imma konna daqxejn kwieti. Li ġara kien li wara l-avvenimenti tal-1989 u d-disfatta tal-elezzjoni ġenerali tal-1987, ħafna mill-membri telquna għalkemm irnexxielna nżommu l-kwartieri ġenerali u l-arkivji.

Issa ħassejna li rridu nagħmlu ħoss… li għadna neżistu u ma spiċċajniex. Meta riċentament ħriġna l-ewwel stqarrija fil-mezzi tax-xandir, speċjalment dawk tan-naħa tal-Lemin, ipprovaw jinterpretawha qisu li mietna u erġajna qomna. Fil-fatt bqajna attivi għax kellna r-rivista “Żminijietna” li konna noħorġuha u issa, permezz ta’ nies b’tendenzi xellugin, qegħdin nużawha biex nipprovaw nagħtu leħen lix-Xellug.



Fil-pajjiż it-tielet partit qatt ma qabad. Intom beħsiebkom tkunu partit li għada pitgħada taspiraw li tikkontestaw l-elezzjoni ġenerali jew grupp li jwassal l-ideat komunisti?


Is-sistema elettorali li titħaddem f’Malta mhix waħda demokratika għax ma tagħtix lok għat-tielet partit. Trid iġġib 17% tal-voti fuq livell nazzjonali biex iġġib 2% f’distrett wieħed.

Is-sistema elettorali tagħna hija tajba li kieku titħaddem kif suppost. Imma f’Malta ħafna jqisuh bħala sagrileġġ li tkompli tivvota fuq il-kandidati tan-naħa l-oħra. Biex titħaddem tajjeb is-sistema trid tkun tali li jekk għandek 30 isem fuq il-lista l-individwu jivvota mill-ewwel sat-30 fl-ordni tal-preferenza tiegħu. Mentri ħafna jivvotaw fuq il-kandidati tal-partit tagħhom u jieqfu hemm. B’eċċezzjoni meta jkun hemm xi ħadd li jagħmel ‘cross voting’ għax xi ħadd ikun għamillu pjaċir.

Fl-opinjoni personali tie għi l-votazzjoni għandha ssir fuq livell nazzjonali u mhux fuq distretti u l-persentaġġi jittieħdu fuq li vell nazzjonali. Biex tkun aktar ġusta. Mela jekk partit ħareġ 30 kandidat ikunu jistgħu jivvotawlhom minn Malta u Għawdex kollu. Qabel l-elezzjoni tal-1987 konna diġà pproponejna li l-pajjiż isir distrett wieħed u l-vot isir fuq il-partit. Fis-sens li partit jippreżenta l-kandidati tiegħu f’ordni ta’ preferenza kif jixtieqhom jitilgħu u jekk jirbaħ ħames siġġijiet jitilgħu l-ewwel ħamsa u jekk jirbaħ għaxra jitilgħu l-ewwel għaxra.

S’intendi l-partiti l-kbar ma qablux magħha kienu … kemm il-Partit Laburista u kemm il-Partit Nazzjonalista.



Imma f’dan ix-xenarju kemm taħseb li l-Partit Komunista jista’ jtella membru parlamentari?

Li naspiraw li nkunu parti minn blokk xellugi. Bħalissa m’aħniex f’pożizzjoni li ntellgħu siġġijiet fil-Parlament. Anke għax il-maġġoranza tal-poplu, billi huwa Kattoliku, jaħseb li jekk jivvota lilna jkun qiegħed jivvota kontra l-Knisja. Li mhux minnu. Għax persuni Kattoliċi naċċettawhom fil-partit. Bħalma naċċettaw min għandu twemmin reliġjuż ieħor għax nemmnu fil-li­bertà tat-twemmin.



Imma matul is-snin il-Komuniżmu ma kienx kontra l-Knisja?

Dak ġara bħalma ġara fil-kwistjoni politiko-reliġjuża f’Malta. Meta fir-Russja saret ir-rivoluzzjoni l-Knisja Ortodossa ħarġet favur l-‘establishment’ allura spiċċat l-għadu tal-gvern il-ġdid. Fit-Tieni Gwerra Dinjija ħarġet favur l-Istat u ħeġġet lin-nies biex jiddefendu lill-pajjiż mill-invażjoni tal-Ġermaniżi. Barra mill-fatt li ħafna Komunisti huma ateji. Għax il-mod kif il-Komunist iħares lejn il-ħajja huwa wieħed xjentifiku. U meta tħares lejha b’dan il-mod qiegħed taqta barra l-ispiritwalità.



Ħafna jemmnu li l-Komuniżmu miet snin ilu. Allura ma taħsibx li qegħdin tipprovaw tqajjmu xi ħaġa li d-dinja tal-lum ma tridx?

Il-kollass kien tal-Unjoni Sovjetika mhux tal-Komuniżmu. U ġabet bidla totali fid-dinja għax riżultat ta’ dan il-kollass l-klassi tal-ħaddiema fid-dinja llum hija ferm agħar minn meta kienet fi żmien l-Unjoni Sovjetika.

Għall-fatt li issa hemm superpotenza waħda, l-Istati Uniti, li tħaddan politika ta’ kapitaliżmu u tista’ tiddetta kif trid. Qabel kienu jgħidu li hemm it-theddida Sovjetika imma t-theddida ma kinitx dik ta’ gwerra imma li l-ħaddiema jagħmlu bħalma għamlu r-Russi fl-1917 meta waqqgħu s-sistema kapitalista.

Imma matul is-snin saru atroċitajiet mill-Unjoni Sovjetika fosthom fi żmien Stalin.

Saru żbalji imma ħafna minnhom huma miżin ter pretati. Mhux qiegħed nipprova niġġustifika dan im ma jkun hemm affarijiet li trid tħares lejhom miż-żewġ naħat u mhux min-naħa waħda. Meta ngħid miż interpretati jiġifieri bil-propoganda. Ngħidu aħna l-korruzzjoni fi stat Kom unista mhux aċċettata. Jekk tinqabad tisraq lill-Istat, li fl-aħħar mill-aħħar huwa n-nies, mal-ħajt ipoġġuk kienu. Ħafna minn dawn ma tistax tqishom bħala vittmi ta’ atroċitajiet.

In-natura tal-bniedem hi egoista u s-sistema soċjalista hi bbażata fuq il-kollettiv fejn kulħadd jagħti sehmu u kulħadd jieħu kemm għandu bżonn. Mhux li taħtaf għad-dannu ta’ sieħbek. Mhiex kompetittiva bħalma hija fil-Punent.



Imma anke l-poplu Russu warrab il-Komuniżmu. Allura x’sar ħażin?

Mhux warrab eżattament. Għax partiti Komunisti għad hemm fir-Russja. U huma b’saħħithom anke jekk m’humiex il-‘leading force’. Li ġara kien li ma kellhomx tlellix fis-soċjetà tagħhom u meta bdew jaraw it-tlellix tal-Punent ħasbu li se jkunu l-istess mentri llum spiċċaw agħar.



Il-fatt li ħafna pajjiżi warrbu l-Komuniżmu ġej mill-fatt li minnu nnifsu ma jattirax lin-nies jew għax dak li għamlu l-mexxejja tal-passat biegħdu lin-nies mill-Komuniżmu?

Aktar naraha minħabba l-propaganda. Ħafna drabi l-Unjoni Sovjetika kienet tagħmel propaganda ‘heavy handed’ li ma tantx jinżel man-nies speċjalment meta tqabbilha mal-propaganda “attraenti” bħalma jaf jagħ­mel il-Punent. Żbalji jsiru. Imma jekk sar żball ma tfissirx li kien hemm tmexxija ħażina.

Imma ejja nitkellmu fuq il-Komuniżmu llum u jekk għadux relevanti. Jekk tieħu l-Greċja għandhom partit qawwi li qiegħed wara l-istrajks li qegħdin isiru fil-pajjiż. Fil-Portugal huwa t-tielet forza fil-pajjiż barra li kemm f’dawn il-pajjiżi kif ukoll fi Spanja u l-Ġermanja għandhom membri mhux biss fil-Parlament tal-pajjiż imma anke f’dak Ewropew fejn jifformaw parti mix-Xellugin li huma t-tielet l-akbar grupp wara d-Demokrastijani u s-Soċjal-Demokratiċi.

Għandek ukoll l-Italja fejn ir-Rifondazione reġgħet qiegħda tissaħħaħ barra li qegħdin jerġgħu jingħaqdu gruppi Komunisti li kienu nfirdu wara d-disfatta li ħadu fl-aħħar elezzjoni ġenerali meta tela’ Berlusconi.



Donnu li n-nies tirrikorri lejn il-partiti xellugin jew Komunisti fi żmien meta jkun hemm problemi fil-pajjiż imma mbagħad f’elezzjoni ma jafdawhomx bit-tmexxija tal-pajjiż. Taqbel?

Insomma, f’Ċipru l-Partit Komunista qiegħed fil-gvern. U fl-Afrika t’Isfel jifforma parti mill-gvern ta’ koalizzjoni. Trid tqis ukoll li f’ħafna pajjiżi tal-eks-Unjoni Sovjetika hemm tendenzi fil-Lemin li qegħdin jipprovaw jagħmluha illegali li jkun hemm partit Komunista fil-pajjiż.



Biex induru fuq l-ideoloġija Komunista. X’inhi?

Ideoloġija Komunista essaġġ ma teżistix. Huwa l-mod tiegħek kif tħares lejn il-ħajja li tagħmlek Komunista jew le. U dan il-mod inbidel wara l-Ewwel Gwerra Dinjija meta s-Soċjal Demokratiku nqasam u l-Franċiżi u l-Ġermaniżi marru favur il-gwerra meta fis-Socialist Internationals kien hemm riżoluzzjoni kontra li gvernijiet Soċjalisti jipparteċipaw fi gwerra imperjalista. Għax il-vera raġuni għall-Ewwel Gwerra Dinjija kienet għax il-Ġermanja ma kelliex kolonji daqs kemm kellhom Franza u l-Ingilterra.

F’Malta hawn min jgħidlek li hemm differenza bejn is-soċjalisti u l-komunisti. Mentri l-ideoloġija hija bejn wieħed u ieħor l-istess. Il-metodu huwa differenti għax is-Soċjal Demokratiċi ċaħdu r-rivoluzzjoni u aħna qatt ma ċħadniha. Ir-rivoluzzjoni mhux aħna nagħmluha imma l-poplu jagħmilha.

Hu jasal għaliha… lanqas aħna ma nwassluh.

Aħna rridu nkunu hemm biex meta l-poplu jagħmel rivoluzzjoni ngħinuh u mmexxuh. Dak ir-rwol tagħna.



Skont il-Komuniżmu kif għandu jitmexxa pajjiż?

Żgur mhux billi bniedem jisfrutta lill-ieħor. Is-sistema kapitalista hija bbażata fuq l-isfruttament. Min inħaddem lilek u nagħtik paga imma fl-istess ħin qiegħed nagħmel qliegħ minn fuqek.

Għax meta tagħmel il-kalkoli ssib li meta ħaddiem jagħmel erba’ sigħat xogħol ikun għamel tajjeb għall-paga tiegħu u l-ispejjeż tal-produzzjoni u l-erba’ siegħat l-oħra huma qliegħ għal min iħaddmu.

Hija sfruttament tal-ħaddiema kif qal Marx bit-teorija tas-‘surplus value’.



U kif taħseb li għandha tiġi rranġata s-sitwazzjoni?

Il-flus għandhom jerġg ħu jmorru għand il-ħaddiema. Kulħadd jaħdem għal għan wieħed u l-qliegħ jinqasam. Erħilha li ħafna nies fl-Unjoni Sovjetika ma kinux jagħtu xogħlhom u din kienet waħda mir-raġuni jiet għall-kollass.



Imma taqbel li l-Gvern jikkontrolla kollox?

Fil-Komuniżmu l-poter sup post jibda minn isfel u jitla’ ’l fuq mhux bil-maq­lub. Meta persuna tinħatar deputat parlamentari trid tirrifletti dak li jkunu dde ċidew in-nies ta’ taħ tha.

Kollox ibbażat fuq kumitati u dawn jiddiskutu bejn iethom x’hemm bżonn f’qasam jew ieħor. Bejniet hom jaħtru persuna li tmur titkellem f’kumitat għola bħall-parlament. U hemm hekk iridu jgħidu x’ikunu jridu n-nies. Jekk le jew twarrab jew l-Istat ikollu dritt ineħħiha mill-kariga.



Fil-prattika kemm tista’ tmexxi b’dan il-mod? Gvern kemm jista’ joqgħod jirrikorri għall-poplu kull darba li jrid jieħu deċiżjoni?

Skont fuqhiex. Eżempju, fuq l-affarijiet esterni ma tis tax toqgħod tmur tikkonsulta n-nies jekk pajjiż ieħor jattakkak. Imma f’affarijiet ta’ kuljum li jolqtu lill-poplu għandu jkun il-poplu li jieħu d-deċiżjoni.



Ħafna jħarsu lejn pajjiżi Komunisti bħala pajjiżi oppressivi anke għall-fatt li, eżempju, ikun hemm partit wieħed biss. Xi twieġeb?

F’pajjiż Komunista jew Soċjalista suppost hemm soċjetà ugwali u m’hemmx klassijiet. Issa l-partiti jir rappreżentaw interessi tal-klassijiet. Ma jfissirx li ma jkunx hemm ideat differenti fl-istess partit imma la l-partiti jirrappreżentaw il-klassijiet m’hemmx lok għal aktar minn wieħed jekk is-soċjetà hija ugwali.



X’futur tara għall-kapitaliżmu u l-kommuniżmu?

Nemmen li dak li ġara fil-qasam ekonomiku internazzjonali ħalla impatt fuq il-kapitaliżmu u eventwalment irid jinbidel għax jekk jibqa’ sejjer kif sejjer waslet id-daqqa tiegħu. Għall-Komuniżmu nara futur għalkemm ħadd ma jista’ jbassar il-futur eżatt x’se jkun. Wara kollox biex joħorġu mill-kriżi diversi pajjiżi miżuri soċjalisti ħadu. Imma fuq kollox kif għidtlek… il-Komuniżmu qatt ma miet… kienet il-propoganda tal-kapitaliżmu li pinġietu hekk.

G8/G20 with no alternative social solutions

Communist Party of Malta states that the G8/G20 meeting held recently in Toronto, Canada as a shameful act from political economic perspective and also on the repression shown by the Police on peaceful demonstrators.

“TheG8/G20 measures announced to save capitalism from the crises are a continuous threat on the workers. In fact the measures made public, were to reduce the deficit for the coming three years, are a continuation and reinforcement of more austerity measures against the working people and their families, youths, pensioners, and the unemployed.
These measures are being taking jointly with International financial capital institutions amongst them the IMF and the World Bank.

The European Union is also endorsing these austerity measures that are resulting in reduction of the minimum wage and social services, wage freeze for public service employees, retirement age up to 70 years, and privatisation of more public services.

The Communist Party of Malta supports the resistance offered by the workers together with various Trade Unions and with the support of Left wing parties in the European Union, so that alternative measures based on social justice, whereby banks and essential services be nationalised, an increase in the minimum wage and more public investments in social services and pensions.

“Austerity measures should be directed towards the capitalist class. Measures should be taken to reduce tax evasion and increase windfall taxes on financial institutions and bank transactions. If implemented successfully, these measures will decrease the burden on the working class.”