Increase in disposable income too little for low-income earners – PN

Latest NSO data has shown that the minimum wage in Malta has increased by an average of €2 per month during 2014, compared to an average of €17 a month over the six-year period between 2008 and 2014.

The comparison was made by the Nationalist Party, which said families’ concerns over their disposable income, especially among low-income earners, had been confirmed by the NSO data.

“This means that for the approximately 10,000 people earning a minimum wage, their revenue over the past year has decreased substantially. This is due to the fact that, apart from the minimal wage increase shown by the NSO, the government introduced or raised a number of taxes and fees, including those on housing, MATSEC examinations, mobile phones, insurance, car licenses, and court fees, among others,” shadow finance minister Mario de Marco said.

“All this apart from the fact that Maltese families – including those with the lowest incomes – are still paying among the highest prices in Europe for diesel and petrol. Contrary to government promises to eradicate poverty in our country, the measures taken by the government continue to reduce disposable income and put people at a higher risk of poverty.”

De Marco said the PN endorsed constituted bodies’ concerns on falling incomes and called on the government to address the matter.