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.

 

Euro-Med 5+5 should support the formation of a Palestinian State.

On the occasion of the Euro-Mediterranean 5+5 meeting, The Communist Party of Malta appeals to the respective delegates, participating in this meeting to support the formation of a Palestinian State.

“It is ironic how much importance is given for the transition of power in Syria,  while the Palestinian people are still being discriminated and deprived of a Palestinian State, despite UN resolutions”.

The Party believes that representatives from the Palestinian Authority should also have been invited as observers in this meeting. The formation of a Palestinian state is of great importance, as it helps to reduce tensions between countries in the Mediterranean region.

“Only through the formation of a Palestinian State, development such as peace and economic progress can be achieved in the North African countries”, concluded the Communist Party of Malta.

Privatisation of Public Carparks is not the solution.

The Communist Party of Malta is against the Government's policy to privatise 34 public carparks.

 

"The government's decision to privatise the 'Park and Ride' in Floriana was a failure, and had adversely affected workers who work in Valletta, due to the high parking fee. There is also a contradiction in the operation of this service, as the company that operates the service, also runs the public transport".

 

"Parking in Mater Dei is also a failure because Maltese public are ending paying up twice. Apart from paying to park, the private operator is also being subsidised by the Government to keep price within reasonable limit".

 

"The solution should be more regulation in the functioning of the present parking system and not privatisation. It makes more sense if carparks are managed by the State". The Communist Party concluded

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