MCESD Kicks Off Pre-Budget Consultations: Social Partners Present Proposals for the 2025 Budget.

The latest MCESD Council Meeting, chaired by Deputy Chairman Mark Musù, prioritised the Social Partners’ pre-budget consultation. The MCESD held a meeting to launch the pre-budget process, engaging economist Gordon Cordina to conduct one-on-one meetings with all MCESD council members, including unions, employer organisations, the Civil Society Committee, and the Gozo Regional Committee, and come up with an MCESD position on pre-budget proposals.

During this pre-budget consultation, the Minister for Finance, Hon. Clyde Caruana, explained to social partners that the government would be submitting its medium-term fiscal plan to the European Commission by the 20th of September. Despite the fiscal consolidation that will lead to a lower deficit and debt burden, the government will still be in a position to deliver a tax cut, increase spending on social protection, and allocate the necessary resources to capital investment.

During his intervention, the Parliamentary Secretary for Social Dialogue, Hon. Andy Ellul, expressed his appreciation to all social partners for their valuable pre-budget proposals and announced the planning of additional meetings prior to the official presentation of the pre-budget document.

Social partners emphasised the importance of fiscal sustainability, urging the enhancement of public sector efficiency and tax fairness for equitable contributions and improved revenue. They also highlighted priorities such as improving connectivity between Malta and Gozo, reforming public procurement, prioritising investment in healthcare infrastructure, ensuring good governance for more efficient and effective use of EU funds, promoting quality tourism, and addressing traffic issues. The need for a clear economic vision was also stressed among the social partners. The proposals aimed to ensure a balanced approach to economic growth, competitiveness, and social development while maintaining fiscal responsibility in the upcoming 2025 budget.

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