Opposition MP calls on Parliament to discuss concrete poverty solutions

Parliament should start discussing concrete solutions for Malta’s poverty problem, Opposition MP Stephen Spiteri said.

“The challenges for the government in this regard include reducing precarious employment, addressing the problems of inadequate pensions and social services, and providing more education and training to prevent people from falling into poverty,” Spiteri, the Opposition spokesperson for the fight against poverty said in his parliamentary adjournment on Tuesday. “The workplace must also become more attractive for people on social benefits who might otherwise not see the point in giving up their benefits.”

He added that the government must commit itself to reducing the rate of early-school leavers, students who can otherwise become tomorrow’s skilled workers.

“Schools and families alike should combat school absenteeism, all sorts of discrimination must be fought against, certain types of sicknesses must be prevented, and we must all promote active ageing and create a society that views the elderly as citizens who contribute to society.,” Spiter said. “Just because we don’t see people living on the streets like they do in other European countries, it does not mean that poverty isn’t a reality in Malta. When I visit houses during my private line of work as a doctor, I can see people living in poverty.”

He warned that the number of people living in or at risk of poverty is increasing.

“There is a political dimension to poverty and all the MPs in Parliament share responsibility for coming up with concrete solutions to address it,” Spiteri said.