Making good use of taxpayers' money

With reference to the letter Enough Is Enough At The Shipyards by Tony C. Cutajar (March 24) let me try and explain the following:

I am a shipyard worker and have been ever since 1971 and, believe it or not, I am proud to be a shipyard worker, regardless of all that has been said against us.

Obviously, I will never permit people like Mr Cutajar to damage our reputation. It's a pity Mr Cutajar didn't say where he works/worked or maybe he is retired and just living on part of the tax I paid throughout these 37 years.

If, for argument's sake, I earn Lm8,000 a year, the government or, should I say the "taxpayer", would have to fork out Lm700 because the remainder would be coming from foreign currency generated through work carried out in the 'yard.

Now let's look at different sectors on the island and compare them with the 'yard workers.

For example, every policeman, soldier, doctor, teacher, local mayor, beach cleaner, civil servant, member of Parliament (all 69 of them), the President and the First Lady etc are paid from money coming from the "taxpayer" because none of them bring in one single cent (euro) to the island (in foreign currency).

Not to mention all those shops, retail stores, banks, post offices, lotto receivers who only recycle the same money we bring from overseas.

Seeing that Mr Cutajar is so worried about the 'yard being a burden on the country, I ask: Where was he when we (the taxpayers) were forking out Lm120,000 a year to a foreigner who was supposed to be bringing the 'yard on its feet? Now, mind you, don't forget that this foreigner was only responsible for 1,700 people whereas the Prime Minister, who is responsible for the whole nation (400,000), earns a meagre Lm22,000. Does Mr Cutajar know that in the 'yard we still have another three foreigners earning an average Lm70,000 a year each and does he know that the 'yard still employs foreigners whether or not we have anything to do in the 'yard?

If Mr Cutajar is really worried about the "taxpayers" why did he not criticise those responsible for all those foreign consultants this government has appointed?

Does Mr Cutajar know that the government appointed consultants just to supervise the Manwel Dimech Bridge project at a cost of nearly Lm500,000?

So, does Mr Cutajar have any solution should the 'yard close down? And what would happen to the families of the 1,700 workers there, not to mention the families of the nearly 200 agents that deal directly with the 'yard?

Would Mr Cutajar please leave us alone and let us earn our daily bread because the government has enough problems to deal with.