Zrinzo Azzopardi to push for gradual increase in minimum wage

One of the three contenders for the post of Labour deputy leader will be pushing for a gradual increase in the minimum wage if he is elected to the post.

Stefan Zrinzo Azzopardi, a former Labour president, would also push for the publication of names of individuals who give loan to the parties and will work to see that the Labour media "delivers the message of the successs the government is achieving".

Making a better quality of living and ensuring a fair distribution of wealth his battle cry, Zrinzo Azzopardi said he would focus entirely on the party.

"The Labour Party will be my priority," Zrinzo Azzopardi said when asked whether he still intended to run the 2018 general elections. He added, that if he were to become deputy leader, he would first consult with party's leadership before submitting his candidature for the elections.

Calls for a raise in minimum wage have long been made, but always faced opposition. In its latest poverty report, Caritas reiterated its call for an increase. While Prime Minister Joseph Muscat has in the past ruled out a minimum wage increase, he has now agreed that discussions should kick off.

Asked whether he would push for a raise in the minimum wage in the electoral manifesto, Zrinzo Azzopardi said: "Placing it on the agenda is already a first step towards seeing the wealth created being fairly distributed. The country's economic successes mean that we need to concentrate on a more just society. We need to have a serious economic debate."

Zrinzo Azzopardi said that everyone deserves a decent quality of life. This, he added, included the environment and more open spaces.

On the Labour Party media, Zrinzo Azzopardi said that, if elected, he would ensure that the resources are strengthened and the party's message is delivered more objectively.

Asked whether he agreed with a blog written by Glenn Bedingfield - an OPM aide and a general election candidate - in which he attacked Judge Lorraine Schembri Orland, Zrinzo Azzopardi said Bedingfield was writing the blog under his own steam.

"I personally think that the Labour media's message should be one showcasing the Labour government's work and what it plans on doing. A person can express their view but, where the party media is concerned, it should be about work."

The Chamber of Advocates has since called on the Prime Minister to disassociate himself from Bedingfield's comments, who suggested that the judge had awarded the PN two seats due to partisan leanings.