This is how Labour's 'well-being index' will work
Abela pledges new study leave for workers, expanded IVF and free mental health check-ups
Robert Abela explained the details of how the Labour Party’s manifesto will measure well-being on Saturday morning.
The Labour leader has said that each proposal listed in the party's electoral manifesto will be costed and also measured against a "well-being index".
On Saturday, he said the index will be built on 10 ‘dimensions’, all given equal importance.
The measures are: environmental sustainability, the local environment, health, personal wellbeing, housing, social protections, civic participation, income and wealth, education and skill, and job quality.
Each of those 10 dimensions features two measurable indicators that will be used to gauge the performance of any particular electoral proposal.
For example, health well-being will be gauged by tracking obesity rates and life expectancy; air quality and carbon emissions will measure environmental sustainability.
Abela claimed that if all Labour's proposals are implemented, Malta's overall well-being will increase by 25 per cent when compared to current data.
Abela said the proposals Labour has presented so far - including the extension of maternity and paternity leave, proposals to help young people purchase homes, and promoting remote and flexible work - are all focused on improving well-being.
Study leave for workers
The Labour leader also announced a number of new proposals. Among them is a pledge to introduce study leave for workers, paid for by the government.
Workers will initially have two days of study leave a year, with that eventually expanded to 10 days annually.
Abela also pledged to fund a mental health check-up for everyone. Those making use of the scheme can go to the mental health professional of their choice, he said.
He said the government will also sign the contract for the building of a new acute mental health hospital in Mater Dei - a promise first made years ago. That contract also covers the expansion of the general hospital’s emergency department.
The government will also expand IVF services so that genetic testing can also measure whether an embryo is predisposed to rare diseases, “that result in great suffering and death”.
“This government will work to support all those who want to start a family,” Abela said.
The prime minister also said the government will also expand its free gym schemes to include facilities that host functional training. He added that eventually the government wants to include the scheme for as many forms of physical activities as possible.
He also pledged that all Heritage Malta sites will be free for all Maltese.