“Positive but fails to address income tax rate problem”

The Communist Party of Malta views the 2014 Budget that although it has a large number of positive measures such as the reduction in energy prices, free child-care centers and incentives in the labour and employment sector, the party feels that the government should have introduced more direct measures to benefit those families with low and middle-low income, who are bearing the burden.

“The government could have been more socially just if his income tax policy was one that benefits all levels of society. Government should have adjusted the tax ceilings instead of just reducing income tax top rate for high earners. The tax reduction from 32% to 29% is anti-social measure”.

 

“Other positive measures announced are the measures to streamline the health system, education, measures benefiting the disabled, part-timers and students”.       

"IVF Treatment should be free” – Communist Party of Malta

“The measure to introduce fees to IVF treatment will result in discrimination between the have and who have not. Through this measure the government is pushing forward the neoliberal agenda by introducing fees in the health sector, thus undermining social justice. Public Health service should remain free”, stated the Communist Party of Malta.

 

“Parliament should also introduce amendments to the approved bill to take in consideration the actual needs of the people, plus the fact that this bill is too conservative”.

 

The Communist Party of Malta insists 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. Gay couples should also be eligible to IVF.

 

Positive result for the Communists in Czech Republic

 

“The latest Parliamentary elections in the Czech Republic resulted in yet another positive outcome for the European Communist and Workers Parties. The Czech Communists won 15% of all the votes, 33 parliamentary seats, making it the Third largest political force in the country”.

 

“Another positive result was obtained by the Portuguese Communist Party (PCP) who in coalition with the Greens managed to get 9.8% of the votes in the recent local elections. 34 mayors and 213 councilors were elected, making the red, green coalition the third largest political force in Portugal”.

The government should not introduce indirect taxes on families.

"In Budget 2014, the government should not introduce indirect taxes that could hit low and middle income families. Indirect taxes should be on luxury goods or financial transactions of over a certain limit", stressed the Communist Party of Malta .

The Party insists that “the government should re-introduce the 35 % income tax rate between the bracket of € 20,000 and € 60,000. This is a progressive tax as it varies according to how much you earn. Workers on minimum wage should continue to be exempt from income tax. Government should start considering the introduction of a tax on empty buildings."

"Government should also explore other possibilities of more direct revenue from areas that are making windfall profits, such as the banking, financial and on-line gaming sector. Loss in the public finances is a result of a unjust system, where those who earn more, are contributing the least."

The government should not introduce indirect taxes on families

"In Budget 2014, the government should not introduce indirect taxes that could hit low and middle income families. Indirect taxes should be on luxury goods or financial transactions of over a certain limit", stressed the Communist Party of Malta .

The Party insists that “the government should re-introduce the 35 % income tax rate between the bracket of € 20,000 and € 60,000. This is a progressive tax as it varies according to how much you earn. Workers on minimum wage should continue to be exempt from income tax. Government should start considering the introduction of a tax on empty buildings."
"Government should also explore other possibilities of more direct revenue from areas that are making windfall profits, such as the banking, financial and on-line gaming sector. Loss in the public finances is a result of a unjust system, where those who earn more, are contributing the least."

Communists appeal for full LGBT Rights.

 

The Communist Party of Malta who in the past campaigned for full LGBT rights states that “the proposed bill that is being presented in Parliament on civil union is still discriminatory as it does not legally classify same-sex marriages on the same par with heterosexual marriages”.

 

“Although the party recognise that it is a step forward, this bill still classifies LGBT people as second class citizens”.

 

The Party insists that “ Malta should follow other EU member states like the Netherlands , Portugal , Spain and Sweden who have all introduced same-sex marriage. Also, Catholic countries in Latin America, such as Argentina and Uruguay have recently approved laws that recognise gay marriage”. 

 

The Communist Party of Malta appeals to the members of Parliament to promote equality and introduce amendments to this proposed bill, to make it conform with other progressive countries who have legislated for full LGBT rights.

 

“Privatisation Unit should be dismantled”

A Privitisation victim

The Communist Party of Malta appeals to the government to do away with the Privatisation Unit created under the previous right-wing administrations. The Privatisation Unit is a Neo-liberal tool, with the aim to privatise all public entities and services.

“The Government should introduce a policy towards the re-acquiring of public entities and services that are of social and national importance. Privatisation resulted in higher prices for the consumer, social inequality, and loss of revenue to the government”.

“The increase of poverty in Malta is also a result of such privatisation. International studies show that whenever public entities were privatised the consumer had to pay more for the same service, while making good for the revenue lost. Jobs were lost and worker’s conditions deteriorated”, concluded the Party.