The family is at the heart of the government’s work and vision for the coming years, which is why year after year the benefits for the whole family have continued to be strengthened while the necessary reforms to recognize all kinds of family.
This was the message that emerged at a news conference addressed by the Minister in the Office of the Prime Minister Carmelo Abela and the Minister for Solidarity and Social Justice, Family and Children’s Rights Michael Falzon on the implementation of the measures of the electoral manifesto on the family, in the week commemorating the Day dedicated to Families.
During this press conference it became clear that this government has always been, is and will remain the voice of Maltese and Gozitan families. If there was a need for evidence of all this, it was the commitment during the last months of the pandemic, as the government undertook additional burdens to save jobs and remove unnecessary pressure from families.
Minister Michael Falzon said that families are the building blocks of society and insisted that every type of family is important, without any distinction. Minister Michael Falzon said that 93% of the measures that fall under his ministry have been carried out during the last four years as part of the 2017-2022 Electoral Manifesto. This is a good result and a reflection of the work of the government, a result achieved through work that many of them directly affect families with all the measures related to benefits and pension reforms, among others.
He mentioned the increase in the children’s allowance for the first time in 11 years and in other instances for the first time in 23 years as well as the child bonus of € 300 for each new child or adopted children, and all this during a year of pandemic.
We have not only complied with what is proposed in the electoral manifesto. We were proactive and even gave additional benefits to those who had their jobs adversely affected.
Minister Falzon also said that the Maltese people are among the most optimistic peoples, and all this continues to give more energy to the government in order to continue to achieve more social good that all families enjoy.
The Minister in the Office of the Prime Minister Carmelo Abela said that when it comes to family-friendly measures, the Government Electoral Manifesto included about 79 measures of which 63 were fully implemented, which means that 80% of the measures related to family have been implemented. In drafting the manifesto, the government from the very beginning had a priority of reducing poverty and putting family empowerment at the forefront.
Among the measures carried out is the abolition of the fee for the MATSEC and SEC exams which removed a burden on low-income families together with an increase in the annual student grant by € 100. Transport to schools was free while Gozitan students began to benefit from a rental scheme when renting property in Malta during their studies. Another important measure is free childcare and tax cuts for private childcare center users, which has given both parents an opportunity to be active in the world of work. In addition, the free IVF service began to be offered as well as public holidays were given back to workers in order to serve not only as a rest for working parents, but to give them the chance to be reunited as a family and enjoying each other’s company.
The Minister in the Office of the Prime Minister Carmelo Abela said that these achievements will drive more work with a commitment to improve the lives of Maltese and Gozitan families. Their financial situation is being strengthened to ensure a more decent life and better opportunities for their children.
“On International Family Day, we are determined to continue to strengthen the social heart of this government towards families and our strong will to strengthen this important nucleus of society that is the family. At the time of the trial we did not leave anyone alone, including and especially the families “, said Minister Carmelo Abela.
