Budget 2024: GWU calls for a strategic economic vision for the next 20 years

The General Workers’ Union has called for continued government support in absorbing the fluctuations in the international price of energy and fuel, in its proposals for the Budget 2024.

The first part of the document looks at the state of the economy and the challenges ahead, growth, inflation, national debt, and the need for cautious spending, as well as the fight against tax evasion and the rightful collection of tax dues.

The second part focuses on the world of work, in which Bugeja called for attention to its quickened evolution and technological advancements, as well as the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on jobs and work.

The GWU is calling for discussions at length on innovation, work-life balance, technological advances, Artificial Intelligence, as well as the legal frameworks, challenges and opportunities, skills and competences, and the sustainability of modern jobs.

“We need economic growth that its built on fair incomes and jobs that promote inclusion, social protection, equality and social mobility, and that’s why we want national employment laws and Works Regulations Orders to be updated, as well as to discuss a new framework for telework and remote working,” Bugeja said.

The GWU has also called for work on Sundays to be paid at double the hourly rate, irrespectively of the economic sector, and that social security contributions are calculated from the age of 16 onwards, given that these are not yet factored for those working from age 16 to 18.

The GWU also proposed that Treasury pensions for the discipline corps also increase annually according to the COLA from 2024, and adjusted according to collective agreements and the basic salary according to the scale the employee last held on the eve of their retirement.

“We are satisfied that the government has introduced two of our proposals – a 23% increase in pensions for members of the disciplined corps who stay beyond the 25-year service, and the 50% of basic salary for four years to those who stay on after 29 years of service. These go together with the five-year pensions for widows of members of the disciplined corps who pass away before their 25-year service, or up until pensionable age,” Bugeja added.

The GWU is calling for a National Living Income to be placed on the national agenda, together with the second COLA mechanism, and renewed discussions on minimum wages and low wages.

“We find ourselves in a time of great, global uncertainty. The government is facing critical decisions that will determine the way ahead, and this Budget must reflect these priorities, values and our commitment for the general good of society,” Bugeja said.

Bugeja said that in the face of this ever complex, socio-economic scenario, it was crucial that the government achieves a consensus on inclusive growth, social equity, and long-term sustainability.

“It is imperative that a strategic economic vision for the next 20 years is put in place. This requires cooperation between the government, the Opposition, and the social partners, to address our common challenges together,” Bugeja said.

Bugeja also called for investments in the major sectors that can drive job creation and economic growth, namely essential infrastructure, education and research.

“But we must also address income inequality, by ensuring a progressive taxation and a social programme that sees the wealth from this economic growth distributed in an equitable way amongst the social strata, ensuring social justice, within an environmental, social and governance framework.”

Other proposals

• Workers on definite contracts that do not get extended get the right to any related vacancy that is created after contract expiry.
• A Mental Health First Aider, apart from a First Aider, on the place of work.
• Equal pay for equal work; capping of the number of contracted workers on the workplace.
• Benefits for continued personal development.
• Extension of the tax rate for overtime on allowances, and removal of €10,000 capping.
• Childcare facilities and health clinics in industrial zones.
• COLA – adjustment on cost-of-living allowances and tax bands so that COLA increase does not get taxed.
• Flexible work arrangements.
• Performance bonus and commissions factored in on national insurance contributions, and therefore also for pensionable income.
• Occupational insurance for workers in cases of accidents, especially in construction work and other jobs deemed dangerous.
• Automatic membership to a trade union of the worker’s choice.
• Regularisation of work permits.
• Grants for the creation of price comparison websites.
• National Skills Council to standardise and quantify the experience, skills and competences of workers.
• Special sick leave for women who endure loss at childbirth or during pregnancy. This compassionate leave offers support in a time of difficulty and loss, by recognising the emotional and physical effect of a pregnancy on a prospective mother.
• Addressing past injustices, such as cases involving former employees of the gas board and the former Verdala hotel.
• Finding solutions for former Malta Drydocks workers who are still suffering injustice after receiving no resolution from the industrial tribunals in 20 years.
• Continuing the compensation scheme for asbestos-related illnesses and deaths.