General Workers' Union in strong approval of Budget 2018

The General Workers’ Union has welcomed the government’s decision to introduce an extra day of leave, in its first reaction to Budget 2018.

The union, which has been lobbying the political parties to give workers back the public holidays that fall on the weekend, encouraged the government to introduce measures to add an extra day of leave for every public holiday which falls on a weekend.

The GWU said that it considered the budget as one which redistributed the wealth generated thanks to the hard work of workers and citizens.

“This was highlighted by the fact that no new taxes were introduced in the budget. The budget also recognised that social justice goes hand-in-hand with economic growth,” it added.

It applauded the government’s effort to address the rent problem by regularising the way places are rented, and by introducing more security and accountability in the sector.

“The measures announced, together with a drive for public consultation, gives the indication that the government is considering the interests of current and future generations, and wants to guarantee fair rent conditions. At the same time, the union said, the government was also creating incentives to those who wanted to buy their first or second homes,” the GWU said.

Amongst other proposals, the GWU welcomed the revision of all employment laws, the establishment of a national strategy on integration, investment in infrastructure and the manufacturing industry, the increase in in-work benefits, the increase in the tapering of benefits for those who returns to work and assistance to families who adopt children.

It also praised measures to increase carer allowances, the introduction of social loans for those looking to buy property, the continuation of the compensation program for those who suffered injustices, such as ex-police force employees, investment in the transport link between Malta and Gozo and the introduction of a national strategy for blockchain and cryptocurrency.

“The budget is socially just and one which all levels of Maltese society would benefit from,” the union said.