People matter

We are all expected to make sacrifices for our future well-being. However, the principles of social justice should never be abandoned. In an economy based on work, giving incentives to workers is indispensable if we want them to contribute to the full. Burdens should be distributed fairly while making sure that middle and lower income classes are not badly affected.

Reforms in education, welfare and health are in the pipeline and no one can down play their importance, yet we should make sure that in the process no single individual is left behind. The end results must leave no victims.

We have a government with the perfect combination, the right people with the best policies who time and again have proven that they have the Maltese worker at heart. I am sure that they know where to draw the line.

In the past months a number of factories have had to reduce their workforce due to an inevitable restructuring exercise, but the economy is picking up again and most of the redundant workers have now been employed elsewhere. Certainly, unemployment is always worrying, whatever its level, and the government cannot cease from its efforts before the last unemployed individual is given what is his or hers by right - a job.

The government is taking measures intended to put our finances back on track, increase productivity, consolidate the infrastructure and stimulate competitiveness, together with achieving value for money in the public sector.

All these measures are tough yet crucial. The efforts are bearing fruit. We have already come a long way but we still have a long way to go. The Lisbon report shows that we still lag behind other member states in various areas. Therefore the need for a collective effort if we truly care about this country's immediate future.

The EU issue, that had divided us for far too long and created a lot of uncertainty, has now been buried as Labour has finally accepted not only membership but also the draft European Constitution (quite a surprising move as it had promised to discuss the matter with its delegates before committing itself).

Such a new approach by Labour proves how right the Nationalist Party has always been on this issue. But now it is useless wasting precious time talking of U-turns - this country faces some serious challenges that must be given top priority.

Constructive criticism is highly commendable but useless pique intended to hinder the government in its quest to improve the standard of living should be condemned wherever it originates from.

Employers and unions should stop bickering among themselves. They should be responsible for coming up with serious proposals on moving this country forward, generating new investment and advancing the economy's competitiveness. Proposals that are highly divisive and create unwanted controversy are to be avoided. The need for a new, realistic, concrete social pact is felt - Malta is one of the very few EU countries that has rejected a social pact, which is a shame.

Real politics is about people, their priorities being to have more money in their pockets, better job opportunities, a healthier environment and a higher standard of living, among others. Let's get our priorities right. Let's concentrate on what is essential. Let's put our acts together and better understand what the needs of the people are.

In politics it is only the people that matter.