1. Increase the minimum wage to €900 in 2023

“Malta’s minimum wage is one of the slowest growing in the EU, it hasn’t kept at pace with the rising cost of living in years and it facilitates the exploitation of the least paid workers,’’ Volt co-president, Arnas Lasys, said. 

The party further explained that many EU states have significantly raised their minimum wage over the years with many surpassing Malta.

2. Reduce the VAT on all menstrual products to 0%

Volt believes that menstrual items are essential products which should not be taxed and should preferably be completely free. 

3. Increase stipends + introduce a bonus for completing financial literacy courses

• Base stipend rate increases to €130 a month
  ■ Increases to €150 upon completion of a financial literacy course
• Prescribed course rate increases to €200 a month
  ■ Increases to €220 upon completion of a financial literacy course
• High priority course rate increases to €385
  ■ Increase to €405 upon completion of a financial literacy course

“Linking a financial literacy course to an additional stipend income will raise a more fiscally responsible generation,” the party said. 

4. Conduct a thorough audit and performance review (via a non-government entity) of the entire public sector + publish the results

‘’It’s time to trim the fat where it’s abundant. The public should have all the tools at its disposal to scrutinise public spending, it’s their money after all,’’ Volt VP Kassandra Mallia said. 

5. Develop a State digital dashboard of expenditure

6. Fund ‘‘Maltese as a Foreign Language’’ education for refugees and asylum seekers, and open it for others

‘‘We need to be an open society, not a closed one.’’ Alexia DeBono, Volt Co- President, remarked. 

7. Fund programmes to teach Maltese and European cultural civic norms to refugees and asylum seekers, also open it for others

‘‘By ensuring that people living here feel a part of the community and share their lived experiences with their neighbours, we enrich our community with new ideas and solidarity.’’

8. Initiate a process of covering all publicly owned buildings in solar panels (where not overshadowed), and create ‘solar rights’

9. Step up cleanliness and public education on cleanliness outdoors

10. Create grants & incentives for vertical farms, community gardens and roof gardens.

‘‘Supply chains can be disrupted and Malta is wholly dependent on importation to sustain itself, especially for sustenance and electricity. We need to ensure that we maximise the amount of food we produce here, spreading knowledge in the process,’’ Volt policy-lead Matthias Portelli explained. 

The party further noted the growing issue of pests, including both rodents and now, hornets. For this reason, state effort is necessary to clean up the island’s streets and habits, it explained.

To conclude the proposal report, Portelli urged the island to stop taking things for granted, especially after enduring a pandemic and while watching a war ensue so close to home.

“The party hopes that the Government will take on some of its proposals for the 2023 Budget.”

Which proposals do you think would be beneficial for Malta?