Social inclusion: a Green perspective

The Green Party's 445 electoral proposals are ample proof that it has a coherent and progressive ideology. Social inclusion is an integral part of this vision. Our vision of social justice does not only address traditional class divisions but also other forms of social exclusion which are based on gender, sexual orientation, ability, and ethnicity.

Social exclusion results in a great waste of human potential. Socially excluded persons tend to lose self-confidence and thus tend to rely on patronage networks. An old Chinese proverb says: "If you give a fish to a human, you will feed him for a day - if you give someone a fishing rod, you will feed him for life".

Adult and lifelong education is one of our priorities. To enable workers to pursue their studies, AD is proposing that the right to study leave is extended to all sectors of the economy and to all categories of workers. Other social categories like housewives, pensioners and the unemployed should be encouraged to persue their studies. Our communications policy addresses the digital divide because one of the fishing rods of the 21st century is the World Wide Web.

Our proposals address daily realities, which result in people being barred from advancing in life. Our educational policies address the reality of children who are streamed and labelled to the point of losing their self-esteem. As most educational research shows this system serves to perpetuate existing class and social divisions.

Alternattiva Demokratika is fully committed in favour of mixed ability classes at primary level and the gradual and well-planned introduction of comprehensive schooling at secondary level. Nobody should be labelled a failure at a very young age. This is truly a waste of human potential. Einstein, who was not so bright as a child, would not have survived our ultra-selective system!

In the last decades trade unions and political parties have mostly focused on the concerns of male full-time workers. This has brought positive improvements in the standard of living of the general population. On the other hand we are also concerned that other categories of people are discriminated against and barred from full participation in the economy. These include women, disabled persons, part-timers, refugees and gays and lesbians.

Women are under-represented in managerial positions in both the public and private sectors of the economy. AD is therefore proposing a system of affirmative action in those areas where women are still under-represented.

The Green Party is also making proposals to ensure that the participation of women in the economic world is facilitated. These include an investment in day care centres for children, through a public-private partnership.

Solidarity with disabled persons is very strong in Malta but disabled persons are still not very visible in the social, economic and cultural life of the country. On the other hand disabled persons are often portrayed in the media as poor and miserable persons depending on the charity of others. Rather than pitying these people, our emphasis should be on empowerment and equal opportunities. AD seeks to build on the very sound principles of the Equal Opportunities Bill.

Our policies on industrial relationships address discrimination against part timers, especially those employed for less than 20 hours. To ensure that part-time workers are not discriminated against, AD is proposing that part time workers should enjoy the same benefits enjoyed by full time workers on a pro rata basis.

Through this reform, part-timers would be able to enjoy leave, sick leave and bonuses according to the number of hours they work. The present system excludes those working less than 20 hours a week from such benefits. To make things even worse some workers are employed by two companies for the same job so that none of the two companies would employ them for more than 20 hours.

Our society must be equipped to absorb the flow of talent coming from outside our borders, both from the north and from the south. The educational system should foster integration through a multi-cultural approach. Racism is not only immoral but is also harmful to the country's prosperity and well being.

Refugees, who are recognised according to criteria established by the United Nations should not depend on charity and should be given an automatic right to work. This right should not be conditional on ministerial discretion. These people are escaping political persecutions or war and should be offered the chance of a new life.

It is positive that through the contribution of the Malta Gay Rights Movement, the gay and lesbian community is affirming its important role in Maltese society. It is sad to know that continuous bullying and cruel remarks at school or at the workplace end up destroying the potential of a large number of intelligent men and women. The Green Party insists that there should be a legal remedy for this structural violence. Gays and lesbians should be protected from sexual harassment and discrimination at the place of work and in the educational system.

Apart from being economic actors most people are also family members and social inclusion depends on the recognition of all forms of families. The traditional family model made up of heterosexual parents and their children is an integral and recognised part of Maltese society. This is reflected in our country's laws and social policy. Its positive contribution is recognised by everyone including AD.

On the other hand there are other social realities which are not recognised by the state. These include siblings living under the same roof and unmarried couples living together. The Green Party believes that the rights and obligations of all forms of families should be recognised.

Children born out of wedlock deserve the same legal protection as other children. The state should offer equal opportunities to everyone irrespective of lifestyle and orientation. Therefore the rights and obligations of gay and lesbian couples should be recognised.

Apart from work and family, people are also engaged in culture and leisure activities. The Green Party's cultural policy does not discriminate against popular culture and the artistic expression of sub cultures, ethnic minorities and expressions of counter culture. Access to the media and cultural venues should be more democratic and less elitist.

The Green Party's social vision is a dynamic one. We don't look backwards with nostalgia at some idyllic past. We realise that conflicts are inevitable in any society and that they are part of the dynamism of modern societies. The role of a progressive state is to ensure that nobody suffers discrimination because of class, gender, sexual orientation, ability or ethnicity and that everyone has an equal chance of fulfilling their potential.

Alternattiva Demokratika's manifesto may be read at www.alternattiva.org.mt

Mr Debono is AD spokesman for Social Policy and Communications