Investment 'taken for granted'

Investment was taken for granted in Malta and measures that could be taken to attract more of it were ignored, General Workers' Union (GWU) General Secretary Tony Zarb claimed yesterday.

Mr Zarb was speaking during the launch of a union document dealing with the generation of employment, issued to mark the 61st anniversary of the setting up of the GWU.

The five-chapter document collects the union's thoughts, opinions and recommendations on the county's economic situation. It also provides a platform for the launch of the union's new logo.

It looks into several issues such as investment, job creation, social inclusion and economic expansion, while outlining the present situation.

Malta is criticised for having one of the lowest employment rates in the European Union.

Mr Zarb explained that the document was inspired by the resolution approved during the GWU's national conference last October.

He said the union hoped it would form the basis for public discussion and that the government would take the proposals made into account.

A copy of the document is to be presented to the chairman of the Malta Council for Social and Economic Development, the three political parties and employers' associations.