Labour is celebrating what it is describing as the biggest minimum wage raise in history, after the Prime Minister announced it will increase to €213.54 a week as of 1st January, 2024.

In a press conference today, Home Affairs Minister Byron Camilleri said that the increase is “a testimony to how much we embrace these kinds of incentivising politics on a daily basis”, and that people in Malta are enjoying better work conditions and wages now.

“In the last few years, we sat down with every social party in our country and agreed with them for a collective agreement. It’s an investment policy against an austerity policy, a policy of incentives versus a policy that breaks people’s aspirations. That is what defines us as a Labour Party and what makes us different from others.”

“In 25 years in Government, the Nationalist Party has never raised the minimum wage except through the COLA,” he said.

MEP hopeful Maria Sara Vella Gafa said the energy incentive was another important facet of Labour’s policies.

“Our families are the only ones in Europe who are not paying a cent more in energy bills. Only we have cheaper bills. The help we gave and are giving in energy prices is the most important measure that has been established. What a difference from the policy of austerity that others embrace because it would have been the easiest path for him and the difficult path for people.”

As it stands, the minimum wage is €192.73 per week, equivalent to €4.81 per hour – this is now increasing to €5.34. This rise marks an €8 increase plus the €12.81 COLA which is calculated annually.

Do you think this raise is enough?