Editorial

According to statistics released by Eurostat, 15 per cent of the population was estimated to be on the threshold of poverty in 2008. Moreover, though below the EU average, material deprivation was significantly high among Malta's population.

One of the difficulties that generally crop up immediately when discussing poverty is clarifying what it means exactly. However, it is known that, within the prevailing debate at EU level, poverty is generally divided into two types: absolute or extreme poverty and relative poverty.

Absolute or extreme poverty is normally understood to mean a situation where people lack the basic necessities for survival. For instance, they may be starving, lack clean water, sufficient clothing or medicines and be struggling to stay alive. Fortunately, Maltese society is free from such grave realities.

The question is where we stand in the case of relative poverty, in essence whether there are people in this country whose way of life and income are so much worse than the general standard of living that they have to struggle continuously to be able to live a normal life and to participate in ordinary economic, social and cultural activities.

Eurostat said that, in 2008, 13 per cent of Malta's population was considered to be materially deprived, meaning they had difficulties in obtaining three out of a list of nine essential items. The list includes: the ability to face unexpected expenses; to pay for a one-week annual holiday away from home; keeping up with the bills (mortgage, utility bills, loan payments); capacity to have a meal with meat, chicken, fish or a vegetarian equivalent every second day; capacity to keep the home adequately warm; and possessing a washing machine, a colour television set, telephone and private car.

Of course, looking at such a list, priority considerations immediately come to the fore. For instance, the ability to have an annual holiday away from home or to possess a private car is far less important than items directly connected with ensuring that every person has the necessary means to live a decent and dignified life.

The Eurostat report on Malta calls for certain action. More so, considering that this is the European Year for Combating Poverty and Social Exclusion, with the aim of highlighting the difficulties poor people in Europe are facing and stimulating action by member states to help these vulnerable people.

The report should, first and foremost, stimulate a fresh reflection on what needs to be done towards an always better just distribution of the country's wealth to ensure reaching out properly to the 13 per cent of Malta's population who, according to Eurostat, are considered to be materially deprived. This, primarily, means those who have difficulties obtaining essential requirements such as the capacity to be within reach of proper and sufficient food and keeping up with the bills for essential services.

Moreover, better attention is solicited with regard to the patterns of communication relating to the social services being offered by the nation and who is entitled to them. This in the light of what emerged during the annual live-in of parish priests, where the lack of sufficient information about welfare services was highlighted. Such a state of affairs calls for renewed action from the state.

No stone should be left unturned to ensure the most effective solidarity possible with people considered to be on the threshold of poverty.