Economic growth without social justice 'only benefits the few': Moviment Graffitti

The economic growth the Finance Minister is likely to highlight in the budget is not improving workers’ quality of life, Moviment Graffitti has warned ahead of the Budget 2027.

"Economic activity has to be organised around people's lives, rather than the other way around," the movement said, noting that the economic growth the Finance Minister is likely to highlight in the budget does not improve workers' quality of life.

On Monday, Finance Minister Clyde Caruana will present the Budget 2027.

Prime Minister Robert Abela announced this last month, who said the Budget would have to reflect international conditions, which he did not expect to improve in the coming weeks and months. But he insisted that the government would continue investing in its electoral manifesto and would not leave people or industry to carry the full burden of the crisis.

The economy has been growing at a fast pace, it said, but this has not translated into a better quality of life for people, especially workers. It argued that growth for its own sake only puts more pressure on workers whose lives revolve around the demands of work.

It pointed to the high cost of living, an uncontrolled rental and property market, low wages and precarious employment in certain sectors, the number of cars on the roads and insufficient work-life balance policies. These factors, it said, have led to a deterioration rather than an improvement in quality of life, despite the economic boom.

Moviment Graffitti said growth needs to come with social and economic policies that let people live dignified and fulfilling lives. People should be able to rest, spend time with family and friends, take part in their communities and pursue interests away from their work routines.

A good economy, it said, should let people earn money and also keep a balance in their everyday life and control over their own time.

The government has promised effective work-life balance measures in its electoral manifestos for a number of years. However, the movement said the implementation of those promises "leaves much to be desired".

It called for a move away from a model where the answer to higher living costs is longer hours or more than one job. It also rejected the idea that parents spending more time at work should be met with more childcare, or that traffic should be met with more road capacity.

Instead, the movement said workers who can work flexibly and remotely would have greater control over their lives while reducing unnecessary commuting. A shorter working week would give them more time to spend with family, care for others, take part in community life and rest.

Adequate parental and carers' leave, it added, would allow people to carry out caring responsibilities without losing income. It said this may also encourage larger families.

Moviment Graffitti said a holistic approach to work-life balance should also consider the needs of people with disabilities or chronic illnesses, so that everyone can earn a living without sacrificing their health, independence or quality of life. Workers also need to be able to disconnect from work, it said.

The movement said economic expansion needs to benefit workers and their families rather than powerful business interests. "Economic growth cannot be taken as the only indicator of social progress," it said.