Loneliness a ‘serious social and economic challenge’, PN says
Opposition bill proposes national strategy to tackle isolation and improve quality of life
Loneliness is not merely a personal experience but a social and economic challenge that is having a serious impact on people’s wellbeing, the Opposition Leader said on Thursday evening.
Speaking in parliament, Alex Borg said that the party’s anti-loneliness private member’s bill which was presented during the sitting reserved for the Opposition, aims at strengthening quality of life in Malta.
The bill is the result of extensive work led by Shadow Minister for Loneliness Ivan Bartolo, together with various professionals and experts in the sector.
In drafting it, the PN took into consideration best international practices from countries such as Canada, the UK, the Netherlands and Switzerland.
The PN insisted the fight against loneliness “must form part of a wider vision of social justices, including equal access to education, healthcare, employment and housing, as well as protection of the most vulnerable, the reduction of poverty, and respect for human rights.”
Borg quoted a recent Gallup poll that showed that 57 per cent of Maltese workers experience stress daily in the workplace, more that the European average. The same report showed higher levels of anger, unhappiness and loneliness in the workplace compare to other European countries.
Through this Bill, the PN is proposing, among other measures, the development of a national strategy against loneliness, greater coordination between public, private and voluntary entities, the promotion of community activities that strengthen social relationships, as well as investment in research and awareness campaigns.
Borg said, through the Bill, the PN is reaffirming “it is not speaking only about laws, but about people’s dignity and quality of life.”