Economic growth is not equivalent to a better quality of lifeDuring a meeting with the leadership team of Union Ħaddiema Magħqudin – Voice of-the Workers, AD Chairperson Carmel Cacopardo reiterated AD’s view that while the country can boast of economic growth, this growth does not necessarily translate into a decent quality of life for workers and their families.

He mentioned precarious work as a particular issue with the problems and lack of peace of mind that it brings for a number of workers and their families. Zero-hour contracts for example mean less dignity for workers and make it difficult for workers’ rights to be effectively protected. There is also the issue of the employment of foreign workers who are paid low wages. The quality of life of these workers is incredibly low. AD feels that unions face a challenge to protect these new categories of workers, most of which do not enjoy the protection of a trade union. It is also very worrying that the Prime Minister sees decent, living wages and a decent minimum wage as some kind of threat to the economy.The AD delegation also spoke about the large number of young workers and other workers who are suffering poverty because of exorbitant property prices and rental prices. The right to housing should be regarded as sacrosanct right for everyone and therefore, the housing should not be allowed to depend exclusively on the market.The employment of 800 people by the government on the basis of a position of trust in violation of the law, including the employment of a person or persons who are assigned to a post by the Prime Minister without reporting to work was also mentioned. AD called for an investigation on this blatant abuse as soon as possible.Alternattiva Demokratika also stressed the need to shift focus much more on to a circular economy, which fosters work while protecting the world around us both for us today and also for future generations. These efforts should be part of a comprehensive economic plan known as the Green New Deal. This plan should guarantee various rights and measures important for a good quality of life for all, including ensuring that all development is sustainable, reforms in the transport sector to counter the absolute dependence on cars, the right to clean air leading better health for all and social inclusion, amongst other measures.AD’s delegation consisted of Chairperson, Carmel Cacopardo, Deputy Chairperson, Mario Mallia and Secretary General, Ralph Cassar.***Tkabbir ekonomiku mhux ekwivalenti għal kwalita’ ta’ ħajja aħjarF’laqgħa li Alternattiva Demokratika kellha mad-diriġenti tal-Union Ħaddiema Magħqudin – Voice of the Workers, iċ-Chairperson Carmel Cacopardo tenna li filwaqt li pajjiżna jista’ jiftaħar bi tkabbir ekonomiku dan mhux bilfors qed jissarraf fi kwalita’ ta’ ħajja diċenti għall-ħaddiema u l-familji tagħhom. Huwa semma il-pjaga tal-prekarjat b’mod partikolari li qal li qed jisraq is-serħan tal-moħħ ta’ ħafna familji. Il-prekarjat ifisser inqas dinjita’ għall-ħaddiema u diffikulta’ ikbar biex id-drittijiet tal-ħaddiema jiġu protetti. Ma dan hemm ukoll l-impjieg ta’ ħaddiema barranin li jitħallsu pagi baxxi u li l-kwalita’ tal-għixien tagħhom hija waħda prekarja għall-aħħar. AD tħoss li l-unions għandhom quddiemhom sfida li jipproteġu kategoriji ġodda ta’ ħaddiema li mhux qed ikollhom possibbilta’ ta’ protezzjoni minn trade union. Huwa wkoll inkwetanti li l-Prim Ministru jara pagi diċenti u paga minima biżżejjed għal ħajja diċenti bħala xi theddida għall-ekonomija.Id-delegazzjoni tal-AD tkellmet ukoll fuq numru mdaqqas ta’ ħaddiema żgħażagħ u mhux, li qed isofru l-faqar minħabba l-prezzijiet eżorbitanti tal-propjeta’ u tal-kiri. Id-dritt ta’ akkomodazzjoni għandu jiġi meqjus bħala dritt sagrosant ta’ kulħadd u għaldaqstant, il-housing ma jistax jitħalla li jitmexxa b’mod esklussiv mis-suq li jirrombla fuq l-iktar nies vulnerabbli.Ġie diskuss ukoll l-impjieg iddiskriminat ta’ 800 ħaddiem mill-gvern fuq il-bażi ta’ position of trust bi ksur tal-liġi, inkluż l-impjieg ta’ persuna jew persuni li jingħataw xogħol mill-Uffiċċju tal-Prim Ministru mingħajr ma jirrapportaw għax-xogħol. Alternattiva Demokratika talbet biex issir investigazzjoni fuq dan mill-aktar fis.Alternattiva Demokratika saħqet ukoll fuq il-bżonn li pajjiżna jiffoka ħafna iżjed fuq l-ekonomija ċirkolari li tkattar ix-xogħol filwaqt li tipproteġi id-dinja ta’ madwarna għalina illum u għall-ġenerazzjonijiet futuri. Dawn l-isforzi għandhom ikunu parti minn politika komprensiva magħrufa bħala l-Green New Deal li tiggarantixxi jeddijiet li jinkludu żvilupp li huwa sostenibbli, riformi fil-qasam tat-trasport flok id-dipendenza assoluta fuq il-karozzi, arja iktar nadifa li twassal għal pajjiż li jgawdi iktar saħħ