The Forum Unions Maltin has given a mixed reaction to Budget 2016, following a meeting of its executive last night.

It welcome the reduction in income tax for those earning a low income as well as the aid given to pensioners. However, it noted that the measures hardly impact those workers who earn a medium wage.

Forum agreed with the government’s initiative for live-in carers, which is intended to reduce pressure on hospitals while ensuring more elderly people are cared for within the community.

It said it was disappointed that the government had added another year of work to enable workers to qualify for pensions, saying this would be a disadvantage for those who want to further their studies.

Forum said it hoped that since the economy is reported to be doing so well, then the government should reverse the previous administration’s decision to eliminate from vacation leave those public holidays which fell on weekends.

It noted that its proposals on education, nano technology, living wage and tax evasion had not been included in the Budget speech. But it welcomed the fact that two of its three proposals for the health sector were included in the Budget.