The EU-wide Emotional Support Helpline, 116123, is now available also in Malta, with the objective of offering emotional support to callers suffering from loneliness, those who find themselves in a state of psychological crisis, and those who require emotional support due to various life situations that they may be encountering.

The European Commission states that all EU countries should reserve the numbers beginning with 116 for services of social value across all EU member states, with 116123 particularly being assigned for emotional support helplines and meeting a common description across all EU member states. The Emotional Support Helpline in Malta will be operating on a 24-hour basis, 7 days a week, all year round. All calls originating from fixed lines will be free of charge.

Calls received on 116123 will be re-routed to the already existing structure of the Appoġġ service Supportline 179. The service is available for all local and foreign citizens in Malta.  The objective of having one international number is so that European citizens would now be able to reach such service by using the same recognisable number in all member states.

Supportline 179 is a 24 hour free telephone service offered by Aġenzija Appoġġ. It has been running by a team of professionally trained volunteers, under the supervision of Appoġġ professionals, for the past 14 years. Now, through the amalgamation with the emotional helpline, the service currently provided will be open to callers from other EU member states and will offer:

The Foundation for Social Welfare Services, through Aġenzija Appoġġ, will ensure that it delivers a high quality service, reliable to callers making use of the helplines 116123 and 179, and will continue to provide the necessary support, training and development to the volunteers who run the service.

For further information about Aġenzija Appoġġ and its services, one may visit www.appogg.gov.mt. Aġenzija Appoġġ forms part of the Foundation for Social Welfare Services which also incorporates Aġenzija Sedqa (www.sedqa.gov.mt) and Aġenzija Sapport (www.sapport.gov.mt).

It-8 ta’ Marzu sar jum rikonoxxut globalment li jfahhar is-successi socjali, ekonomici kif ukoll politici, miksuba minn nisa tal-bierah, t’issa u tal-futur. Dan hu turija simbolika tal-bidla fl-attitudni tas-socjeta’ u l-mod kif thares lejn l-ugwaljanza u l-emancipazzjoni tal-mara. Filwaqt li hemm min jahseb li ‘l-battalji tan-nisa ntrebhu’, ix-xoghol li qed taghmel il-Kummissjoni dwar il-Vjolenza Domestika huwa xhieda tal-oppost. Ghad hemm nisa li minflok huma milqugha b’bukkett mimosa jhabbtu wicchom ma’ tghajjir u swat. Ghalhekk, waqt li tfakkar il-Jum Dinji tal-Mara, il-Kummissjoni, taghraf il-progress miksub, izda tishaq li ghad fadal xi jsir. Ezempju ta’ dan hu l-fatt li l-ugwaljanza fis-socjeta’ m’hix l-istess ghal kulhadd u ghalhekk hemm nisa li huma vittmi ta’ vjolenza inkluz vjolenza domestika.

Il-Vjolenza Domestika hija att kriminali li jikser id-drittijiet fundamentali tal-bniedem, bhad-dritt ghall-hajja kif ukoll id-dritt ghall-integrita’ fizika u psikologika. Il-konsegwenzi huma devastanti mhux biss ghal dawk li jesperjenzaw il-vjolenza imma wkoll ghall-membri tal-familja specjalment ghat-tfal. Il-Kummissjoni dwar il-Vjolenza Domestika hadet diversi inizjattivi biex tindirizza dan il-fatt fosthom l-enfasi maghmula fuq il-bzonn ta’ approgg multidixxiplinarju u integrat. Barra minn hekk il-Kummissjoni tenfasizza l-bzonn ta’ prevenzjoni u deduzzjoni bikrija kif uriet fis-Seminar organizzat fl-20 ta’ Novembru 2009 imsemmi An Integrated Approach to Domestic Violence. Il-Kummissjoni qed tippjana kampanja nazzjonali fuq medda ta’ sena u nofs bhala parti minn progett tal-Fond Socjali Ewropew.

Il-Jum Dinji tal-Mara m’huwiex biss importanti biex jigu mfakkra s-successi tal-mara, imma ukoll biex teduka u tinforma lis-socjeta’ dwar il-vjolenza u l-abbuz li jezisti u li n-nisa jridu jifaccjaw. Fil-fatt il-Kummissjoni hadet l-opportunita’ biex tiftah librerija ta’ riferenza ghall-pubbliku generali kull nhar ta’ Tlieta mill-10 a.m. sa 12.30 p.m. fil-bini taghha Blokk C, Beltissebh, Furjana.

Ghal izjed informazzjoni wiehed jista’ jcempel fuq in-numru 25687251 jew jibghat email lil domesticviolence@gov.mt kif ukoll jidhol fis-sit www.domesticviolence.gov.mt.

- Click here to view the interview.

Once again it is my pleasure to be among you – especially at the end of my
tenure as Minister for Social Policy.

We came here to discuss mobility. I remember that one of my first visits to
an ETC event when I was appointed Minister for Social Policy two years ago,
was to the job fair organised by the European Employment Services. I am a firm
believer in the concept of workers mobility, especially in our circumstances
where we are just a small island, cut off from mainland Europe.

Workers mobility is the result of one of the freedom of movement – one
of the fundamental and essential freedoms of the European Union. The European
Employment Services also grew out of EU citizens’ right to the free movement
of labour.

Needless to say, the mobility of workers enables us to realise the Lisbon
Strategy’s goal of more and better jobs and to enhance the quality of life
of all Europe’s citizens, both now and in the future. It is our task to show
people that being open to the opportunities offered by mobility can provide them with
a job, improve their skill set and broaden their horizons.

To live and work outside the country of origin enriches the individual with an enormous experience which cannot be obtained elsewhere. Time has shown that people who spend part of their working life abroad bring with them this experience when they return to their country.

EURES and ETC are both doing a sterling service in terms of workers mobility, but the need to continue pushing this value is still being felt. Despite the largest ever enlargement of the European Union in 2004, mobility flows have been relatively moderate compared to the overall size of EU labour markets. Even six years after enlargement, the percentage of Europeans living and working in another Member State is still only a little over 2%.

EURES Malta is an active member of the European network between the European Commission and the Public Employment Services (PES) of the EEA. The network is responsible for developing the exchange of information and cooperation provided for in Part II of Regulation EEC No 1612/68, namely the clearance of vacancies and applications for employment. The services of EURES consist of information, advice and assistance for placement, recruitment along with matching CVs and vacancies. The services are delivered by the EURES advisers and other relevant staff of the EURES members and the partner organisations involved.

EURES is efficiently addressing the need for information and advice on the labour market situation and the living and working conditions in the EURES countries. Thanks to the EURES network, information and advice is generally secured in all Public Employment Services and in partner organisations. Permanently updated information sources also need to be secured for the coming period of time. Mobility should be promoted whilst ensuring the concept of "fair mobility", particularly fighting undeclared work and social dumping, which is to ensure that labour standards and legal requirements are always fully respected

The changes in the labour market, the economic crisis in particular and the overall modernisation of Public Employment Sevices are the main challenges for EURES in the coming years. In order to address these changes a strong further development of EURES is needed. Transparency on the labour market by displaying the Public Employment Sevices vacancies on European level is no longer sufficient to address the market and client needs. EURES has to be further developed as a result oriented network showing its added value for the client groups and the Public Employment Sevices.

In 2009 the European Commission (EC) published a new document entitled “New skills for new jobs, Anticipating and matching labour market and skills needs”. In this document the EC stresses on the fact that skills prediction should be improved if the EU wants to take the lead in the global economy. In today’s fast changing world, re-skilling programs which are not sensitive to the needs of the future are doomed to fail. Because of this and as a by-product of the “European Economic Recovery Plan”, the EC set out to create a skills assessment in order to discover the needs of the EU by the year 2020.

Throughout the past years, the Eures Malta team worked towards further increasing the relevance of EURES to its clients by increasing awareness amongst Maltese jobseekers and using innovative channels to assist Maltese companies in the recruitment of qualified staff from other EU members.

We would like to encourage you to use Eures Malta Services and that you find our services useful.

01.02.10

Eccellenza
Segretarju Principali Permanenti
Sinjuri,

L-ghodwa t-tajba u nilqghakom ghat-tnedija ufficjali tas-sena Ewropea 2010 dedikata lill-glieda kontra l-faqar u l-eskluzjoni socjali.

I would also like to welcome with us today Dr Marios Camhis, Acting Head of the European Commission Representation in Malta. Thankyou for honoring us with your presence and I augur today’s launch will give you an overview about the 2010 European year applied to the Maltese context.

L-Unjoni Ewropea hija wahda mill-aktar zoni sinjuri fid-dinja, madanakollu l-faqar xorta jibqa’ sfida ewlenija. Madwar 80 miljun Ewropew qed jghixu f’riskju ta’ faqar, dan jammonta ghal 17 fil-mija tal-popolazzjoni kollha Ewropea.

Il-glieda kontra l-faqar u l-eskluzjoni socjali hija wahda mill-objettivi ewlenin tal-Unjoni Ewropea, fil-fatt waqt it-tnedija tal-istrategija ta’ Lisbona il-kapijiet tal-Istati weghdu li sal-2010 il-faqar jigi eradikat. Minkejja dan, numru ta’ persuni Ewropej ghadhom qed jghixu fil-faqar.

Il-krizi ekonomika u finanzjarja dinjija halliet impatt fuq il-miri socjali li kellhom pajjizi ewropej u l-persuni l-aktar vulnerabbli kienu fost l-aktar li ntlaqtu.

Fid-dawl ta’ dan, is-sena 2010 kienet maghzula bhala s-Sena Ewropea kontra l-faqar u l-eskluzjoni socjali. L-ghan ewlieni ta’ din is-sena hu li titwaqqaf kuxjenza madwar l-istati membri tal-UE dwar is-sitwazzjoni ta’ nies f’riskju ta’ faqar u eskluzjoni fl-Ewropa u t-tigdid tar-rieda politika tal-UE u l-istati membri fil-glieda kontra l-faqar u l-eskluzjoni socjali.

Il-Miri ewlenin tas-Sena Ewropea 2010 huma:

1. Rikonoxximent tad-drittijiet – taghraf id-drittijiet fundamentali, l-bzonnijiet u d-dinjita’ ta’ persuni li qed jesperjenzaw il-poverta’ u l-eskluzjoni socjali biex jkollom sehem shih fis-socjeta’.
2. Responsabbilta’ maqsuma u partecipazzjoni – Il-partecipazzjoni tas-socjeta’ civili u l-impenn tal-istakeholders, bhal, Awtoritajiet Nazzjonali, dawk li jaghtu servizzi, l-imsiehba socjali, l-pubbliku in generali u l-persuni li jesperjenzaw l-faqar u l-eskluzjoni socjali. Responsabbilta’ maqsuma fil-glieda kontra kontra l-faqar u l-eskluzjoni socjali.

3. Koezjoni – Bil-promozzjoni ta’ socjeta’ aktar koerziva, is-socjeta’ in generali tiggwadanja fit-tnaqqis tal-faqar. Is-sena Ewropea ghandha l-ghan li tqajjem kuxjenza pubblika dwar kemm huwa ta’ beneficcju ghas-socjeta’ li l-gid jinqasam bejn kulhadd u hadd ma jibqa’ lura.

4. Ir-rieda u l-azzjoni konkreta – Ir-rieda politika tal-Unjoni Ewropea u l-istati membri sabiex ikun hemm impatt fuq it-tnaqqis tal-faqar u l-eskluzjoni socjali u l-promozzjoni ta’ din ir-rieda.

Is-sena Ewropea 2010 se ssir fis-27 stat membru u fin-Norvegja u l-Izlanda. L-attivitajiet se jkunu fuq livell Ewropew u fuq livell nazzjonali. Kull stat membru gie mitlub jinnomina kumitat nazzjonali organizzattiv biex jiehu hsieb il-fondi tas-sena Ewropea fuq livell nazzjonali. Il-Ministeru ghall-Politika Socjali waqqaf kumitat maghmul minn raprezentanti maghmul minn entitajiet pubblici differenti fi hdan l-istess Ministeru.

Il-Ministeru, permezz ta’ dan il-kumitat fassal programm ta’ attivitajiet li Malta se tkun qed torganizza ghas-sena Ewropea. L-ghan ta’ dan il-programm hu li jilhaq l-objettivi tas-sena Ewropea b’kuntest Malti, bbazata fuq studji tal-isfidi li Malta ghandha fil-qasam tal-poverta’ u l-eskluzjoni socjali. Il-programm nazzjonali jhares lejn strategija ta’ komunikazzjoni li ser tintuza. Il-programm jaghti importanza ta’ konsultazzjoni mas-socjeta’ civili u l-istakeholders.

Ix-xoghol principali tal-Ministeru huwa l-implementar, il-monitoragg u l-evalwazzjoni tal-programm nazzjonali tas-Sena Ewropea 2010. Il-Fondazzjoni ghal Harsien Socjali hija organu implementattiv tal-kummitat Nazzjonali u hija responsabbli ghall-attivitajet tas-sena 2010.

Organizzajonijiet Volontari ghandhom rwol importanti f’dawn l-attivitajiet minhabba li dawn jahdmu ma’ persuni vulnerabli fis-socjeta’ li qeghdin fir-riskju ta’ faqar u ta’ eskluzzjoni socjali. Dawn ser ikunu nvoluti f’attivitajiet ghas-Sena Ewropea.

L-attivitajiet ippjanati ghal din is-Sena Ewropea huma numeruzi. Dawn huma intizi biex jindirizzaw l-aspirazzjonijiet ta’ dawk il-partijiet tal-poplu li qeghdin f’riskju ta’ faqar u eskluzzjoni socjali.

L-attivitajiet tas-Sena Ewropea 2010 ser jikkommemoraw granet bhal jum internazzjonali tal-mara, jum dinji tas-sahha mentali, jum internazzjonali tat-tfal, jum internazzjonali ghall-anzjan u jum dinji ghar-refugjat. L-aspett ta’ poverta’ u l-eskluzzjoni socjali ser tinghata priorita’ f’dawn il-granet.

Biex is-Sena Ewropea 2010, tinghata dimensjoni umana, Malta innominat 10 ambaxxaturi biex iwasslu l-messagg taghhom lil dik is-sezzjoni tal-populazzjoni rappresentata minnhom. Dawn il-persuni pubblici ser jahdmu direttament fuq punti li huma relatati direttament mal-poverta’ u l-eskluzjoni socjali u ser iservu biex jigi promoss l-ispirtu tas-Sena Ewropea. Dawn l-ambaxxaturi ser jiehdu sehem f’hafna minn dawn l-attivitajiet u jippromwovu l-objettivi tas-Sena Ewropea, u jghollu l-percezzjoni tal-importanza ta’ diskussjoni wieghsa fuq il-poverta’ u l-eskluzzjoni socjali. Dawn l-ambaxxaturi jirrappresentaw persuni vulnerabli bhal persuni b’disabilta’, nies bla dar, nies qieghda fit-tul u ex-prigunieri.

Jiena nawgura li din is-sena tkun sena li tixpruna lill-poplu Malti kollu jinghaqad fi front wiehed kontra l-poverta’ u l-eskluzjoni socjali.

DOI – 03.02.2010

Onorevoli Ministru,
Eccellenzi,
Sinjuri,

Fil-21 ta’ Jannar, il-Kummissjoni Ewropea u l-Presidenza
Spanjola nidew is-Sena Ewropea ghall-Glieda Kontra l-Faqar u
l-Eskluzjoni Socjali. Din is-Sena Ewropea, ghandha l-ghan li tqajjem
aktar kuxjenza tal-kawzi u l-konsegwenzi tal-faqar u l-eskluzjoni
socjali fl-Ewropa, kemm fost il-gvernijiet u s-shab socjali u kemm
fost il-pubbliku. Ghandha wkoll l-ghan li timmobilizza lil dawn
fil-glieda kontra l-faqar; issahhah l-integrazzjoni u l-inkluzjoni
socjali u li tinkoraggixxi impenn car ghat-tfassil ta’ policies,
sabiex jindirizzaw il-faqar u l-eskluzjoni socjali kemm fuq livell
komunitarju u kemm fuq livell nazzjonali.

Ghaxar snin ilu, mexxejja Ewropej ippromettew li jeliminaw il-faqar
bhala obbjettiv tal-pjan ta’ tkabbir u holqien tax-xoghol –
l-hekk imsejha, Strategija ta’ Lisbona – sas-sena 2010. Imma
dan ma sehhx. Hu ttamat li s-Sena Ewropea ghall-glieda Kontra l-Faqar u
l-Eskluzjoni Socjali sservi sabiex izzomm hajja din il-glieda sakemm
jintlahaq l-obbjettiv mixtieq. Fuq il-livell tal-Unjoni Ewropea, il-metodi
u l-istrategiji kif wiehed jiggieled kontra l-faqar u l-eskluzjoni
socjali huma mhollija ghall-Istati Membri individwalment. Li taghmel l-Unjoni
huwa li tipprova tiggenera aktar kuxjenza, taghrif u skambju ta’ strategiji
u esperjenzi bejn l-Istati Membri dwar kif tista’ tigi indirizzata l-problema
tal-faqar u l-eskluzjoni socjali.

Nahseb li hija inizjattiva f’waqtha u ta’ min ifahharha ghax inhoss li l-Unjoni Ewropea ghandha tersaq aktar qrib tac-cittadini taghha u mhux tibqa’, ghal hafna nies, attrazzjoni fi Brussell li mhux kulhadd jifhem x’inhi. U t-temi tal-faqar u l-eskluzjoni socjali certament huma temi li l-Popli jifhmu x’inhuma, imissu l-effetti taghhom fil-hajja ta’ kuljum u jixtiequ li ssir xi haga konkreta dwarhom.

X’inhu faqar u x’inhi eskluzjoni socjali? Fi kliem semplici, persuna fqira hi dik li d-dhul finanzjarju taghha ma jservihiex biex tghix, jaqa’ taht il-livell minimu biex jippermetti lilha u l-familja taghha jghixu hajja decenti skond il-kundizzjonijiet tal-hajja fis-socjetà fejn jghixu. Il-livell minimu jissejjah komunement “il-linja tal-faqar” u din il-linja tvarja fiz-zmien u fl-ispazju. Dak li jitqies faqar illum, mhux bil-fors kien ikkunsidrat faqar fl-imghoddi u dak li jfisser faqar f’pajjiz mhux bilfors li jfisser faqar f’pajjiz iehor. Il-faqar hu, sa certu punt, haga relattiva imma jezisti minimu li hu faqar f’kull post u f’kull zmien. Il-mankanza ta’ ikel u ilma sufficjenti ghall-ghajxien kien, ghadu u jibqa’ fl-imghoddi, fil-prezent u fil-futur l-aghar forma ta’ faqar possibbli. Hu l-faqar li jista’ jcahhad lil persuna mid-dritt uman l-aktar sagrosant li hu dak tal-hajja.

It-terminu “eskluzjoni socjali” gie addottat mill-Unjoni Ewropea fl-ahhar tas-snin tmenin u l-bidu tad-disghinijiet. Xi gvernijiet tal-lemin ma kienux jirrikonoxxu li kien hemm il-faqar f’pajjizhom filwaqt li xi kummentaturi tax-xellug kienu mhassba dwar iz-zieda fil-polarizzazzjoni bazata fuq inegwaljanza fid-dhul finanzjarju ta’ klassijiet socjali differenti. It-terminu “eskluzjoni socjali” beda jintuza f’dan l-aspett u sar is-suggett ta’ dibattitu fuq il-politika socjali fuq livell Ewropew. Ghalkemm hu rikonoxxut li huma l-individwi emarginati li jsofru l-eskluzjoni, il-kawzi jistghu jkollhom l-origini taghhom fuq livell domestiku jew anki ta’ komunità.

Nistghu nghidu mela, li hemm eskluzjoni socjali meta individwu, komunita’ jew anki regjun shih, isofru minn tahlita ta’ problemi socjali bhal qghad, nuqqas ta’ hiliet li jippermettu lil dak li jkun li jsib xoghol, dhul finanzjarju baxx, housing taht il-livell accettabbli jew sahansitra nuqqas ta’ akkomodazzjoni, problemi ta’ sahha, ambjent ta’ kriminalità u droga jew prostituzzjoni, u familji mifruda. Il-fenomenu, mela, ma jfissirx biss faqar ekonomiku imma kumplessità ta’ problemi socjali. Anzi huwa possibbli li wiehed ikun eskluz minghajr ma jkollu problema akuta ta’ faqar u, mill-banda l-ohra, wiehed jista’ jkun f’riskju ta’ faqar minghajr ma jhossu eskluz. Kultant dawn il-fenomeni jistghu jkunu temporanji imma jistghu jkunu wkoll permanenti bhal per ezempju, pensjonanti li jridu jghixu bi dhul mhux adegwat ghall-hajja. L-eskluzjoni socjali tista’ titfisser bhala diffikultà ghall-access fil-hajja socjali u politika fil-komunità minhabba xi raguni jew ohra.

Il-medja ta’ dawk f’riskju ta’ faqar fil-pajjizi tal-Unjoni Ewropea, l-aktar regjun ekonomikament b’sahhtu tad-dinja, hija ta’ 16 fil-mija li tfisser mat-80 miljun ruh. F’Malta, sar survey fl-2007 mill-Ufficcju Nazzjonali tal-Istatistika fejn il-linja tal-faqar (“poverty line”) giet iffissata bhala 60 fil-mija tal-medja nazzjonali tad-dhul ta’ kull persuna li tigi hamest elef erba’ mija u sebgha u sebghin ewro (€5,477) fis-sena. Id-dhul jinkludi hlasijiet minn servizzi socjali. Fi kliem iehor, gie deciz li min ghandu dhul inqas minn din is-somma jinsab fil-faqar. Ir-rizultat tas-survey wera li l-percentwali ta’ dawk f’riskju ta’ faqar ilahhaq 14 fil-mija li hu inqas mill-medja Ewropea u f’termini ta’ numri dan ilahhaq sebgha u hamsin elf, erba’ mija u erbgha u erbghin (57,444) persuna li jinsabu f’riskju ta’ faqar f’Malta. Ghaliex dawn in-nies jissejhu “f’riskju ta’ faqar” u mhux “fqar”, la darba jinsabu taht il-minimu, mhux car hafna ghalija. Jidher, madankollu, li din hija s-sistema u t-terminologija li tintuza mal-Ewropa kollha mhux f’Malta biss.

Malta tigi t-tnax-il wahda fil-klassifika tal-pajjizi tal-Unjoni. L-aktar li huma f’riskju ta’ faqar huma l-persuni li ghandhom età zghira li ma taqbizx is-17-il sena u anzjani li qabzu l-65 sena. Tezisti wkoll disparità bejn nahat differenti tal-Gzejjer Maltin. L-akbar riskju ta’ faqar jinsab Ghawdex fejn il-medja titla’ ghal 18 fil-mija u mbaghad hemm id-distrett tan-naha t’isfel ta’ madwar il-port fejn ir-riskju ta’ faqar huwa ta’ 17 fil-mija imqabbel ma’ 12 fil-mija ghan-nahat tal-punent ta’ Malta fejn hemm l-anqas riskju. Dawn il-figuri, irrid intenni, huma tal-2007 u ghadna ma nafux ezatt jekk il-krizi ekonomika u finanzjarja mondjali kellhiex effett fuqhom.

Jiena nistaqsi: x’inhuma r-ragunijiet li ghalihom jezistu dawn id-differenzi konsiderevoli f’pajjiz tant ckejken bhal Malta? X’jehtieg izjed isir u x’qieghed isir biex ikun hemm anqas disparità fil-livell tal-hajja tal-Maltin li joqoghdu f’lokalitajiet differenti? Din il-problema umana qeghda tigi indirizzata bil-mezzi kollha ghad-dispozizzjoni taghna? Qeghdin nimmobilizzaw bizzejjed ir-rizorsi kollha taghna, kemm statali u kemm dawk tal-volontarjat, sabiex niggieldu din il-problema?

Hareg mis-survey tal-Ufficcju Nazzjonali tal-Istatistika tal-2007 li l-faqar finanzjarju hu relatat mal-livell tal-edukazzjoni. Meta l-opportunitajiet ghall-edukazzjoni huma, fil-principju, ugwali ghal kulhadd, ghaliex sezzjoni taz-zghazagh Maltin m’humiex qed jaghmlu uzu minnhom u b’hekk jaqghu fir-riskju tal-faqar? Kulhadd jaf kemm l-Istat Malti investa bil-qawwa fl-edukazzjoni – mela nistaqsi: fejn stajna morna ahjar fl-isforzi taghna biex hadd ma jibqa’ ‘l boghod minn edukazzjoni li tippermettilu ghajxien ahjar?

Wiehed irid, fuq kollox, jipproponi mezzi u metodi kif persuni bhal dawn jistghu jigu meghjuna sabiex johorgu mis-sitwazzjoni ta’ eskluzjoni socjali. Jistghu jsiru programmi ta’ edukazzjoni biex jitharrgu dawn in-nies f’xi sengha li tippermettilhom isibu xoghol. Jistghu jsiru progetti sabiex dawn in-nies jinghataw tahrig anki kif jamministraw d-dhul taghhom bil-ghan li juzawh ahjar. Fejn hu possibbli, tista’ tigi provduta akkomodazzjoni b’kera sussidjata, kif f’xi kazi qed isir, li jkunu jistghu jlahhqu maghha u dan jista’ jsir anki b’mod temporanju sakemm is-sitwazzjoni titjieb.

Hu sewwa li l-faqar gie abbinat mal-eskluzjoni socjali f’din il-kampanja ghax il-faqar kif rajna, huwa wiehed mill-forom tal-eskluzjoni socjali. U minhabba f’hekk, il-faqar isir kwestjoni ta’ deficit fid-demokrazija wkoll. Li tkun fqir ma jfissirx biss li ma jkollokx biex tghix materjalment imma wkoll li ma jkollokx il-mezzi sabiex tippartecipa pjenament fis-socjetà bhala membru ugwali taghha kif mistenni f’demokrazija. Il-livell ekonomiku u l-abilità li tippartecipa bis-shih fis-socjetà aktarx imorru flimkien.

Is-sitwazzjoni prezenti tal-faqar fl-Ewropa mhix fenomenu gdid u ftit kien hemm bidla fl-ahhar ghaxar snin. Jista’ jkun, li minhabba l-krizi ekonomika tal-ahhar sentejn, is-sitwazzjoni marret ghall-aghar f’ghadd ta’ Stati Membri. Il-krizi gabet aktar prekarjetà fl-impjiegi u certi kategoriji bhan-nisa, l-immigrati u dawk li jixtiequ jidhlu fid-dinja tax-xoghol ghall-ewwel darba huma l-aktar milquta. Kull Stat Membru, kif ghidna, hu mistenni li johrog bi strategija kif se jikkumbatti l-faqar u l-eskluzjoni socjali. Valur kardinali tal-Unjoni huwa s-solidarjetà. Forsi wiehed jista’ jistaqsi jekk wasalx iz-zmien li jkun hemm aktar solidarjetà bejn l-Istati Membri f’dan ir-rigward sabiex jitnaqqsu l-inegwaljanzi li jezistu fis-socjetajiet differenti tal-Unjoni.

Normalment, meta nitkellmu fuq il-faqar, aktarx jiguna f’mohhna pajjizi li ghadhom qed jizviluppaw fl-Afrika jew l-Asja fejn jonqos l-ikel u l-ilma nadif. Imma anki fl-Ewropa jezistu l-faqar u l-eskluzjoni socjali ghalkemm forsi mhux fuq l-istess skala ta’ mizerja u kalamità li nsibu f’xi kontinenti ohra. B’danakollu, xorta wahda mhix sitwazzjoni accettabbli. Jekk irridu li kull individwu jirrealizza l-potenzjal kollu tieghu, l-isfidi tal-faqar u l-eskluzjoni jinhtieg li jigu affrontati izjed bil-qawwa u b’aktar solidarjetà.

Din il-kampanja tidher li qed tikkoncentra fuq il-glieda kontra l-faqar fl-Ewropa u rrizulta li percentwali mill-foqra fil-kontinent Ewropew huma immigrati. Tohrog spontanja l-mistoqsija jekk hux possibbli niggieldu l-faqar fl-Ewropa minghajr, fl-istess hin, ma naghmlu l-istess glieda kontra l-faqar fil-bqija tad-dinja.

Ghaliex jekk il-pjaga tal-faqar se tibqa’ miftuha fl-Afrika u fl-Asja, il-foqra ta’ dawk il-pajjizi se jibqghu jaghmlu pressjoni biex jemigraw ghall-Ewropa sabiex ifittxu hajja ahjar u allura jinholoq cirku vizzjuz fejn il-problema ma tista’ tinhall qatt ghax il-foqra se jibqghu jidhlu fl-Ewropa u jinghaddu mal-foqra ta’ dak il-kontinent.

Jekk qed nitkellmu fuq glieda kontra l-eskluzjoni socjali, kif nistghu neskludu lill- pajjizi mhux Ewropej minn din il-kampanja? Fil-fehma tieghi, il-kampanja trid issir bhala glieda kontra l-faqar kullimkien, ghax ahna qed nghixu f’dinja wahda bhala umanità wahda u jkun inutli li nippruvaw insolvu l-problema tal-faqar f’darna biss, jekk wara biebna se jibqa’ jkun hemm il-fqar li jippreferu jfittxu futur f’pajjizi Ewropej.

L-umanità hija wahda. Kif jghid John Donne: “No man is an Island, entire of itself….any man’s death diminishes me, because I am involved in Mankind; And therefore never send to know for whom the bell tolls; It tolls for thee.”

Hija tassew tebgha fuq l-umanità li fi zmienna, meta ghandna ghad-dispozizzjoni taghna mezzi teknologici fl-agrikultura biex nipproducu ikel ghall-popolazzjoni mondjali kollha kemm hi, ghad hawn miljuni li m’ghandhomx bizzejjed x’jieklu u hafna sahansitra jmutu minhabba nuqqas ta’ ikel. Il-bniedem minn dejjem kellu r-riskju li jkun vittma tan-nixfa jew dizastri naturali ohra li kien ikollhom l-effett li l-art ma tkabbarx bizzejjed ikel u tinholoq karestija, imma llum, fejn mhux daqshekk difficli t-trasport tal-ikel minn pajjiz ghall-iehor, huwa ta’ ghajb li nies li m’ghandhomx bizzejjed ikel mhux dejjem jircievu l-ghajnuna fil-hin u b’mod adegwat.

X’jista’ wiehed jipproponi sabiex jigu affrontati l-fenomeni tal-faqar u l-eskluzjoni socjali? Nistghu nikkunsidraw xi suggerimenti u dan anki mill-esperjenza personali tieghi bhala Chairman tal-Malta Community Chest Fund. Wiehed jista’ jheggeg koinvolgiment u impenn akbar minn kull settur tas-socjetà, inkluzi l-NGO’s, fil-glieda kontra l-faqar u l-eskluzjoni socjali; li tinghata vuci lic-cittadini li huma affettwati mill-faqar u l-eskluzjoni socjali; li titnehha kull stigma assocjata ma’ dawn in-nies f’kazi fejn, nghidu ahna, kienu suggetti ghal piena ta’ prigunerija jew kienu vittmi tad-droga; li nippromovu izjed socjetà fejn kulhadd ikollu l-istess opportunitajiet; li tissahhah is-solidarjetà bejn il-generazzjonijiet sabiex il-membri aktar vulnerabbli bhat-tfal jew l-anzjani isibu sostenn minn dawk aktar b’sahhithom.

Il-faqar jista’ jitnaqqas jekk inpoggu fic-centru tal-istrategiji taghna l-persuna umana. Il-filosofija prezenti tas-suq globalizzat hija bazata fuq il-kuncett tal-kompetizzjoni li, skond il-fehma ta’ hafna, issarraf f’aktar efficjenza u vantaggi ghall-konsumatur. Izda wiehed jista’ jiddiskuti jekk dan hux qed ikollu effett mhux mixtieq fuq dawk l-aktar vulnerabbli jew hux qed ikun ghall-beneficcju ta’ kulhadd.

Fl-ahhar mill-ahhar, il-problema tal-faqar u l-eskluzjoni socjali hija, fil-fehma tieghi, wahda ta’ gustizzja socjali. Il-gustizzja socjali hija fondata fuq il-principji tad-drittijiet umani u l-ugwaljanza u dan jinkludi access ugwali ghall-opportunitajiet; hija l-mod kif id-drittijiet umani jigu manifestati fil-hajja ta’ kuljum fuq kull livell. Il-valur ta’ kull persuna huwa inestimabbli u kull persuna jixirqilha l-akbar dinjità ghas-semplici fatt li taghmel parti mill-umanità. L-Istat u kull wiehed minna ghandu d-dover li jippromwovi l-gustizzja socjali u l-protezzjoni tad-drittijiet. Nahseb li t-test ta’ kull socjetà civilizzata huwa kif hija tittratta l-membri taghha l-aktar vulnerabbli.

Imma wiehed jistaqsi: Il-glieda kontra l-faqar tista’ tintrebah? Kristu qal: “Il-foqra dejjem issibuhom maghkom…” (Gw, 12:8). Imma ma waqafx hemm, sahaq li hemm bzonn li tinghata l-ghajnuna lil min jenhtiegha: “… kull m’ghamiltu ma’ wiehed mill-izghar fost dawn huti, ghamiltuh mieghi” (Mt, 25:40) u jkompli “…dak li m’ghamiltux ma’ wiehed minn dawn iz-zghar, anqas mieghi ma ghamiltuh” (Mt, 25:45). Mela li teradika l-faqar mhix fantasija minkejja d-diffikultajiet li jezistu. Fi kliem l-ekonomista Jeffrey Sachs: “Ours is the first generation in the history of the world with the ability to eradicate extreme poverty. We have the means, the resources and the know-how. All we lack is the will. Ghalhekk, irridu nkunu u nagixxu bhas-Samaritan it-Tajjeb, ghaliex kif stqarr tant tajjeb Teilhard de Chardin “Only when we are One are we one”.

Ma tezistix soluzzjoni mirakoluza ghall-problema tal-faqar fid-dinja. L-isforz biex neradikaw il-faqar irid jigi minn kulhadd: mill-istati, mill-ghaqdiet tal-volontarjat u minn kull individwu. Ir-rizorsi planetarji huma sufficjenti ghal kulhadd imma jridu jitqassmu b’gustizzja, irid ikun hemm distribuzzjoni ekwa. Il-pajjizi sinjuri jistghu jibzghu li l-pajjizi l-fqar jistghu jxekkluhom milli jistaghnew izjed ghax il-htigijiet tal-fqar huma tant kbar li kieku kellu jinqasam il-gid tad-dinja ugwalment ma’ kulhadd, il-pajjizi ghonja jkollhom inaqqsu mill-hajja li qed jghixu llum. Imma din hi vizjoni dejqa jekk mhux ukoll individwalista ta’ kif ghandna naffrontaw din il-pjaga socjali.

Is-soluzzjoni tal-problema tal-faqar tiddependi minn tmexxija soda u rieda politika qawwija li jirrizultaw fi tkabbir ekonomiku tal-pajjizi foqra. Ezempju storiku ta’ rieda politika u tmexxija determinata nihduh mill-President Harry Truman u mis-Segretarju tal-Istat George Marshall li kkoncepew u wettqu l-Marshall Plan li permezz tieghu l-ekonomija tal-Ewropa tal-Punent irkuprat u kibret fi ftit snin wara d-dizastru li halliet warajha t-tieni gwerra mondjali. Fl-ahhar tal-erba’ snin tal-Pjan Marshall, l-ekonomija tal-pajjizi meghjuna mill-Amerika kibret aktar milli kienet qabel il-gwerra b’35 fil-mija. Il-mira specifika tal-Pjan fi kliem George Marshall kienet kif gej: “Our policy is directed not against any country or doctrine but against hunger, poverty, desperation and chaos. Its purpose should be the revival of a working economy in the world so as to permit the emergence of political and social conditions in which free institutions can exist.” Dan juri li meta rridu nagixxu konkretament, nafu x’ghandna naghmlu.

Biex tissolva l-problema tal-faqar, l-attegjament irid jinbidel. Illum, ir-ragunament hu li wiehed lest li jghin lil min jahseb li se jkun jista’ jpattihulu fil-futur u / jew ghax jaqbilu ma jimpurtahx minn dak li m’ghandux il-mezzi biex jirreciproka. Forsi hu iktar facli wkoll li ddahhal idejk fil-but u tohrog il-flus biex tghin lill-fqir milli taghti mill-hin tieghek halli tghin. Fil-fehma tieghi huwa dan li jaghmel il-bniedem shih min lest li jaghti minghajr ma jistenna li jircievi u li ghandu r-rieda li jaghmel l-ghazla preferenzjali tieghu favur il-fqar u dawk eskluzi socjalment.

Nirringrazzjakom.

DOI – 03.02.2010

NRU. 0124

Mr Speaker, Onorevoli Membri Parlamentari

Il-familja, il-bierah, illum u ghada, kienet ghadha u tibqa s-sies tas-socjeta' Maltija.
Kienet ghadha u tibqa' c-cellulla li tmantni s-socjeta' u l-istituzzjoni
li tibni lill-pajjizna.

Ghalhekk hu d-dmir taghna bhala Gvern u d-dmir tas-socjeta' kollha li f'dak kollu li naghmlu,
kull dettall tal-politika li noholqu u nattwaw, tkun indirizzata biex insahhu l-familja.

Mill-hamsinijiet 'l hawn, ir-rata li biha qed tinbidel il-familja Maltija u l-familja fl-Ewropa
zdiedet. Il-kuntest li fih qed tizviluppa l-familja qed jinbidel ukoll u dan qed igib mieghu sfidi
godda li jgibu maghhom bzonnijiet specifici.

Fost it-tibdil wiehed jista' jinnota li:

• Qed jitwieldu anqas tfal
• Qed jitwieldu aktar tfal barra z-zwieg
• Il-koppji qed idumu aktar biex jibda jkollhom it-tfal
• Qed jinfirdu aktar familji
• Qed ikun hemm aktar tfal imrobbija minn genitur wiehed
• Hemm aktar ugwaljanza bejn in-nisa u l-irgiel.

Dan it-tibdil qed ikollu effett fuq it-trobbija tat-tfal u fuq il-hajja li qed jghixu fiha t-tfal taghna.
Malta minn dejjem kienet kburija bil-familji sodi u responsabbli li wettqu dmirijiethom lejn il-membri vulnerabbli
tal-familji bhat-tfal u l-anzjani, u dan il-gvern ihossu responsabbli li jwettaq dak li hemm bzonn biex il-familji
taghna jkunu jistghu jkomplu r-rwol importanti taghhom fis-socjeta'.

Illum qed jinholqu forom ta' relazzjonijiet. Nemmen li l-Gvern ghandu l-obbligu li jhares l-interessi ta' kull
cittadin f'pajjizna u ghandu jibni dawk l-istrutturi civili biex jassigura li r-responsabbiltajiet li c-cittadini
jassumu bejniethom jigu onorati u biex jassigura wkoll li kulhadd jidhol fil-qafas ta' infrastruttura socjali li
bnejna u li se nkomplu nibnu f'pajjizna.

Jiena nemmen li flimkien, ahna nistghu naffacjaw l-isfidi li gejjin mit-tibdil li ghaddejja minnu l-familja. Illum, nixtieq nerga nappella ghal sforz genwin u qawwi bejn il-forzi politici, ekonomici u socjali kollha biex il-familja f'pajjizna tkompli tissahhah billi naghmlu ghazliet responsabbli li jharsu lejn il-gejjieni tal-familji taghna.

Wahda mill-isfidi ewlenin hija li l-familja tkompli taqdi b'mod shih ir-rwol taghha fis-socjeta' u fl-istess hin tlahhaq mal-ispejjez tal-hajja. L-isfida mhix wahda ekonomika biss imma hija relatata mad-diffikulta tal-bilanc bejn familja u xoghol. Din il-kwistjoni ta' bilanc ma tikkoncernax biss lill-mara li tahdem izda tikkoncerna l-irgiel ukoll. Ahna nemmnu fil-valuri tax-xoghol u tal-edukazzjoni li jistghu jwasslu li l-familji jkunu jistghu jipprovdu huma stess ghall-bzonnijiet taghhom.

Il-familja dejjem kienet in-nieqa tat-trobbija u l-formazzjoni ta' uliedna. Ghalhekk:

Irridu naghtu sostenn shih lill-familji fejn genitur wiehed qed jerfa r-responsabbilta' ta' tnejn.

Irridu nergghu nibdew insahhu r-rabta inter-generazzjonali tal-familji.

Jiena nifhem illi f'dawn il-jumejn tal-konferenza se jqumu diversi opinjonijiet minn persuni diversi u nawgura li permezz ta' din il-konferenza nifhmu sew xi tfisser din l-istituzzjoni ghas-socjeta' taghna u naraw x'nistghu naghmlu aktar biex inkomplu nsahhuha.

DOI - 22.01.2010