To the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Greece.

Dear Comrades,

Please allow me to convey the congratulations of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Malta to the Central Committee and all the cadres of the Communist Party of Greece for the substantial electoral gains made by KKE in the recent regional elections. These gains reflect the tireless effort made by your party to increase the support of all the workers in Greece is bearing results. The Communist Party of Malta wishes more success in forthcoming struggles that the Communist Party of Greece undertakes in the interest of all those who toil for their livelihood in Greece.

Fraternal Salutations

Victor Degiovanni

for the

Central Committee

Communist Party of Malta.

The Communist Party of Malta supports the minimum income standard

The Communist Party of Malta supports the call by the United Left Bloc in the European Parliament for a decent minimum income standard to combat rising poverty across Europe. In Malta the introduction of a minimum income by law was introduced way back in the 1970s by a Labour Administration. This labour legislation introduced for the first time social justice at the workplace.

“It is offensive that the Government has, in Budget 2011, tied an increase in minimum wage with job training, when training is supposed to be a worker’s right. This is nothing but discrimination to workers with low income and this will increase social exclusion and class inequalities”.

“The proposed Framework Directive for a minimum income standard is mathematically formulated based on at least 60% of the median income in each European country. This measure will be of a benefit to workers on a minimum wage to enjoy a decent life. This will also be an effective tool to fight social exclusion, poverty and unemployment”.

The concept of a minimum income standard is on the same basis of that of the living wage but differs in methodology as the living wage is based on the whims of the employers and the type of Government, while the minimum income standard is directly linked with the minimum wage income and is mandatory by law.

"Euro statistic figures show that even after social reforms, some 85 million people will remain at risk of poverty in the EU. Neo liberal policies, such as cuts in social expenditure and jobs, austerity measures, and low wages are putting families at risk of poverty”.

The Communist Party of Malta supports the call from the streets by the workers across Europe, mainly in Greece, Spain and France who are demanding a change in policy to tackle poverty and social exclusion.

We urge the Maltese Members of European Parliament to support this European framework directive for the introduction of a minimum income standard based on a 60% on the median income.

Anti-Social Budget

The Communist Party of Malta states that the Budget 2011 is an anti-social budget, where the Government is denying the working class the right for a decent wage to those workers with a minimum wage. It is offensive that the Government has tied an increase in minimum wage with job training, when training is supposed to be a worker’s right. While high-wage earners are giving job training without any conditions. This is nothing but discrimination to workers with low income and this will increase social exclusion and class inequalities.

The Communist Party of Malta condemns the fact that the Government has not used the same measures with regards middle and upper class families who choose to send their children to private schools.

"The campaign against exploitation at work must be restrained by new work legislations for secure jobs and decent wages. The measure announced by the Government seems to be attractive, although we fear that this will not be effective, if the Government will continue to apply the same method used in granted contracts on the least minimum bid. The government should ensure that workers are employed on 40 hours week and not on precarious jobs.

The working class is still carrying the burden of the austerity measures announced in previous budgets and of today, where the cost of living has not been subdued. The prices of energy tariffs and gas which are classified as basic commodities are still high in prices to the detriment of the working class.

The Communist Party of Malta deems this Budget as ‘contempt’ towards the working class where each day they are experiencing a decline in their quality of life. We note that this Government has no interest for the working class.

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.