Zminijietna has proposed scrapping the idea of lowering income tax from 35% to 25%, insisting that more progressive measures must be introduced based on the revision of tax bands.

Żminijietna (Voice of the Left) argued on the urgent introduction of policies that address the burdens on low income families. These include a more realistic revision of the COLA and an increase in the national minimum wage. “We believe that unearned income should be taxed at a higher rate than earned income," a statement by the party read.

The Movement favours the strengthening of the welfare state together with a progressive redistribution of wealth. “This can only be achieved by a progressive taxation, effective enforcement against tax evasion and a policy that defends public services,” the Party explained. In cases where job conditions are of a precarious nature, such as care workers, security officers and cleaners, the Movement believe in the setting up of workers’ cooperatives.

It added that a national consensus should be reached within the Malta Council for Economic and Social Development for the introduction of family-friendly measures, flexibility at the worker’s discretion and the widening of the Industrial tribunal to include public sector employees. With regards to the housing sector, Żminijietna appealed for a more holistic approach where the government should continue to subsidise first-time buyers and those who rent, adding that it should tax vacant properties to sustain social housing schemes in order to reduce speculation.

On the energy issue, the Movement appealed to the political parties to revert to the use of gas in the generation of electricity and to implement a policy that safeguards basic consumption and penalises waste. The same goes for the domestic use of gas.

The movement asked the Parties to refrain from introducing any form of payment within the compulsory educational system and demanded that prisoners and ex-prisoners on parole would be given employment and decent working conditions by the government