Expectations . . .
Tony Zarb, General Secretary - General Workers' Union 1. Ensuring good governanceThe GWU is calling for clear and consistent policy, efficiency, accountability and transparency. These prerequisites have to feature in all the government's operations.
Tony Zarb, General Secretary - General Workers' Union1. Ensuring good governance
The GWU is calling for clear and consistent policy, efficiency, accountability and transparency. These prerequisites have to feature in all the government's operations. The union wants every sector to have clear objectives, which should be launched in the coming months and reviewed at budget time.
2. Establishing parliamentary committees
This mechanism is intended to scrutinise top appointees, such as chairmen and directors of government boards, authorities and institutions. The public at large should be reassured that the appointees have the proper credentials and, most of all, have a vision for the post with which they have been entrusted.
3. Establishment of a lobbyists' diary
This innovative proposal is intended to inform people about which individuals and organisations are in contact with the Prime Minister and his ministers. It would be similar to the President's daily engagements. One of the most effective implications of this proposal would be to shed light on the networks and sources of power and influence which inevitably exist within government circles.
4. Strengthening the economy
Malta went through numerous sacrifices to secure its place within the eurozone. One hopes that people will now get the prosperity they were promised. The GWU insists that Malta Shipyards and other entities such as Enemalta and Air Malta are viable and, therefore, the government must find the right ingredients to nourish them. Malta needs to continue to expand the ICT and financial sectors, without simultaneously neglecting the manufacturing and the productive sectors. Tourism is an important pillar of our national economy, and as such it now forms part of the Prime Minister's portfolio. The GWU maintains that for tourism to grow it is vital for the country to dedicate all its energies in this regard.
5. Honouring industrial relations
The government should allow industrial relations mechanisms to function among the social partners, both within their respective organisations and at the level of the Malta Council for Social and Economic Development. Government should refrain from unilaterally involving itself in these matters. Moreover, trade unions must be left to freely exercise their role within the parameters of industrial democracy. Another important sector which should be given due weight is occupational health and safety.
Tancred Tabone, president - Malta Chamber of Commerce and Enterprise1. Macroeconomic stability
The chamber has consistently advocated export-led economic expansion and sustainability in public finances as primary economic objectives because it believes this is conducive to safeguarding the nation's competitiveness. In this regard, the chamber acknowledges the advancements achieved by the country in its preparations to join the eurozone. This is now more valid than ever in the context of the balanced budget target for 2010 and being part of the eurozone. Stability must be scrupulously safeguarded to ensure investment attractiveness as well as adequate room for fiscal manoeuvrability in the light of EMU membership.
2. Taxation
The chamber awaits the implementation of the electoral promise to reduce the burden on taxpayers. During the electoral campaign, the chamber itself had suggested a further widening in income tax bands to generate added economic momentum by giving people more spending power and a greater incentive to work and invest. It believes that the measure is sustainable in the short to medium term.
3. Environment and sustainable development
The local business community recognises the importance of the environment as a key strategic issue and supports the move towards sustainable development. The quality of the environment has a direct bearing on the health, morale and efficiency of local workers as well as the goods or services they produce. It also affects our country's success in the tourism industry.
4. Labour market and education
The country must capitalise on its one and only natural resource: its human one. The chamber asked all political parties to incentivise larger female participation in the labour market to contribute to national competitiveness. Besides, the chamber underlines the importance of education which must be reflected in an increased investment across the educational spectrum from kindergarten to tertiary education and beyond, including life-long learning. The country's competitiveness cannot afford to suffer from shortages of skills in key areas of the labour market.
5. Rent laws
The chamber still believes that housing could indeed be made more affordable if the rental market in Malta were given a new lease of life. This could be done by finally taking the necessary steps to reform the pre-1995 rental conditions. While being aware of the social aspect of this amendment, the chamber is also keen to point out that there are instances where due to the unfair situation with the current law, a lessee is at an absurd advantage over the lessor. The chamber is also pleased to note that the Prime Minister has already listed this as one of his priorities for this legislature.
Gejtu Vella, General Secretary - Union Ħaddiema Maqgħudin1. Economic growth
Malta's economic growth remains a necessity, not an option. Higher GDP economic growth should continue to be the focus of all government's energy. Intelligent fiscal measures together with swift and efficient start-up initiatives should further encourage local and foreign entrepreneurs to set up business in Malta. This remains an important feature, not only to attract productive work but lucrative work with better conditions of work. Attracting companies with more value-added to these islands requires a highly- skilled labour force. Thus formal and informal education should continue to play a strategic goal in society at all levels, encouraged and reinforced to ensure success.
2. Social justice
Social justice needs to be reviewed and enhanced by a more personalised service to ensure that people's needs are taken into account and services are customised as far as is reasonably practicable. Primary health and community services, housing, and social benefits are among the services that should be looked into.
3. Sustainable development
Sustainable development, the protection of the environment and climate change must rank higher on the national agenda. It is becoming more apparent that these issues not only affect our immediate environment but, if not properly addressed, will adversely influence our economic growth.
4. Stronger governance
The strengthening of the various regulatory bodies and authorities and the overhauling of certain institutions is essential to ensure checks and balances in a modern society. Government should restrict itself to policy development and allow the respective bodies to execute their business.
5. More competitiveness
During these five years, Malta is expected to gain experience within the various EU institutions. This means Malta will have become more acquainted with all this entails while our economy dovetails smoothly with that of the EU, to cushion the shocks of globalisation. During the next five years Malta should earn a better rating on the Lisbon agenda score board when compared with the other 26 EU countries.
Ray Muscat, director general - Federation of Industry1. Industrial strategy
The FOI calls for the implementation of measures laid down in the industrial strategy, particularly those related to clustering, market development support and entrepreneurship.
The document titled Industry Strategy for Malta (2007-2010) - Enabling Industry to Achieve Quality High Value-Added and Productivity Growth was launched in 2006 after wide consultation with various private and public stakeholders.
The implementation of measures within its framework deserve an overarching, coherent and priority approach, championed at the highest levels of government.
2. Research and innovation
Research and development should be fostered through public funds and tax incentives.
A research and development and innovation fund should be set up with an initial capital injection by government, with a tax relief system for contributions by private enterprise.
The long-promised venture capital fund should be implemented as a finance vehicle to accelerate the growth of existing innovative companies as well as for knowledge-based start-ups.
3. Development of human resources
Human capital should be enhanced, mainly through vocational and on-the-job training. Sufficient resources should be allocated for the effective implementation of the National Qualification Framework which has recently been launched.
This framework provides a systematic approach for training, qualifications and experience recognition and life-long learning which is essential to national competitiveness. Student apprenticeships and placements in industry should be strengthened, and should also encompass students at tertiary level.
4. Lowering of business costs
Business costs shold be reduced through a sustainable alleviation of tax burdens, supporting labour productivity, reviewing the COLA mechanism and optimising the relationship between cost and the availability of network services, particularly those of energy and international transport of cargo.
5. Flexicurity
The FOI calls for the implementation of measures consistent with the EU model of flexicurity, particularly with regard to contractual arrangements linking wages to productivity and flexibility in working time schedules; the implementation of active labour market policies and flexible and responsive lifelong learning systems; and the restructuring of social security systems moving from universal schemes to ones which promote self-help.