An increase in the minimum wage and pension, as well as measures to protect low-income earners all feature in civil society lobbyists' proposals for the 2017 Budget. 

In a statement issued this morning, the Civil Society Network noted that while Malta's economy was doing well, "there are growing social inequalities."

It laid out a list of 10 items it felt the government should tackle as a matter of priority. 

Apart from increases in the minimum wage and pension, the network is also calling for: updated COLA and pension indices, 

  • Updated COLA and pension indices
  • Upward revisions in tax brackets for low-income earners
  • Measures to ensure pensions are sustainable and universally accessible
  • Affordable housing measures
  • Measures to tackle precarious employment
  • Measures to stop exploitation of foreign workers in the black economy
  • Renewable energy use initiatives


Policies should be based on evidence and research, the network said, adding that "consensus among social partners is not used as an excuse for procrastination."

Last month, the Prime Minister said that he wanted the upcoming budget to focus on a fairer distribution of income. 

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