Labour disagree with FOI on minimum wage

The Labour Party does not agree with the Federation of Industry's conclusion that to improve industry's competitiveness the national minimum wage structure should be revised.

The FOI earlier this week made a strong appeal to the government to reconsider the compulsory cost of living increase awarded every year.

It was reacting to the results of a study published by Eurostat that highlighted Malta's minimum wage standing in relation to some EU states and other acceding countries, finding Malta's to be comparatively high. The party's main spokesman on social protection, Karl Chircop, said the workers' party could never accept the dismantling of "a monument" it set up around 30 years ago to ensure that each worker had a guaranteed minimum wage.

This, he said, was one of the best rights the Maltese worker had ever acquired. He said the party recognised that one of the biggest problems in the employment sector was lack of competitiveness and promised to be at the forefront to help Maltese industry identify problems. It would also offer its assistance to minimise them and create further employment in the country.