PM speaks of need to plan ahead for worst case scenarios

The Prime Minister said yesterday that the upcoming legislature will be fundamental for the country to reach the ambitious aims outlined for 2015.

Speaking during a meeting with the Confederation of Malta Trade Unions, Dr Gonzi said his party's campaign for the upcoming election would build upon what has been achieved over the past few years.

"If we continue working together we can compete on an international level," he said in an obvious reference to the PN's new slogan that "together everything is possible".

Malta, he continued, can become a centre of excellence in a number of sectors which are all important for trade unions since they have a direct impact on workers.

These include information and communication technology, on which many sectors are dependent, the financial sector, tourism, the manufacturing sector, health, education and Gozo.

Despite the leaps forward made over the past years, the country still needed to face a number of challenges. Dr Gonzi stressed the need to remain focused.

The challenges include the price of oil, which is expected to remain high.

"We need to plan ahead for worst case scenarios," he said, adding that the country needed a strong economy to protect it in such instances.

He emphasised the importance of building a policy which encouraged more women to get a job and young people to train for the newer careers, like those revolving around IT.

The Prime Minister also stressed the importance of protecting workers, like part-timers, whose rights could be abused.

Yesterday's meeting was part of his party's aim to hear what the social partners have to say before consolidating its electoral manifesto.

In fact, he continued, he was meeting with the CMTU officials in his capacity as head of the party. Dr Gonzi was accompanied by Finance Ministry Parliamentary Secretary Tonio Fenech and PN general secretary Joe Saliba. CMTU president William Portelli said such meetings were important and should probably take place more often.

Dr Gonzi quipped that they probably would, if this was Italy, in an obvious reference to the neighbouring country's frequent elections.

"We believe the future is based on synergy and dialogue," Mr Portelli said.

The country, he added, had made big leaps forward, especially in IT and education, which played such an important role in the future.

He described the Malta College for Art, Science and Technology as the final link in the chain of education. Although challenges did lie ahead, the social partners needed to make every effort in a bid to obtain the best results.