Gonzi invites MLP for joint discussion on workers' day
Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi has invited the Labour Party to join the PN in the organisation of a National Conference on Workers' Day next year, saying the discussion about work should not be politicised.
Dr Gonzi was speaking at the end of the 2008 workers' day conference organised by the PN, during which 14 speakers, representing various sectors of employment, gave their contribution.
Dr Gonzi said Workers' Day should not be merely marked with street parties and it was important that, on this day, people gathered to discuss the country's strengths and weaknesses and gauged the current situation, he said.
Malta's economy was doing well but should not be taken for granted as there were many challenges ahead, such as the rising price of oil and wheat that was being felt all over the world.
Dr Gonzi then outlined four main points towards the country's success within the next five years. First, he said, the country's economic situation had to be maintained and this meant that everyone had to give his contribution. It was also important to keep investing in the capabilities of workers, continue making use of opportunities offered by the EU and strengthen social dialogue.
He added that in the past days the idea of having a Social Pact had re-emerged. "I believed we need a pact for sustainable development," he said. This pact, he elaborated, would need to find a balance between safeguarding the environment and incentivising development.
8 Comments
Post comment
Please sign in or create your Account to post comments.
G. Sammut
May 1st 2008, 20:04
With all due respect to the journalist, the article says '...should not be merely marked with street parties' whereas it is to my knowledge that Dr. Lawrence Gonzi said that these "street parties/demonstrations" need to stop once and for all because they yield nothing. One would encourage bi-party discussions on the country's strength and weaknesses but it is shameful to reduce such an important and significant day (one that is recognized world-wide) to a 'street party' that needs to cease. With that logic let us also remove Independence Day and Republic Day from our calender amongst many other 'days' because any 'parties' in commemoration of them are also fruitless.
A Daley
May 1st 2008, 18:55
Why does the word hypocrisy come to mind?
Joseph Grech-Attard
May 1st 2008, 18:03
@ Mr Pule'
For those, young and old, who do not want us traumatised adults to mention the past, let me assure them that we mention it so that history does not repeat itlsef. Not fair to call it crap! After all, we learned also from the French, from the British, etc. And "Terinu", Mussolini, Zepi l-Hafi are other parts of history which we should not let repeat itself: as well as , of course, Zejtun, The Times, The Curia, etc.
After the turmoil of last elections, it needs more than a handshake to level out things. There are still unresolved allegations which need to be brought to the surface. We have waited for 2 months.
The invitation itself i find very acceptable. However, being cynical about it should also be acceptable. Dialgue means discussion BUT with an inward feeling of changing your ideas and accepting others. Otherwise it becomes imposition.
Charles.j.Schembri
May 1st 2008, 16:43
Benjamin Pule` (4 minutes ago)
Mr Zammit, with all due respect, Why discuss again the 1960s? Those are past times ....well said Mr.Pule...so tell me why do they discuss the 70's of the Labour Government...a good thought!!!!!!!!!
Mike Magri
May 1st 2008, 16:32
Well... Well.... Welll... Mr. Prime Minister....
Is not this type of `Handout`, yet ANOTHER `Trojan Horse` as the one you ``..kindly...!!`` offered to the M.L.P. a few days ago, to take one of his parlamenterians to `convert` it into a speaker of the house, and thus bringing the difference of votes to two in your favour....!!!!!
Who gains if such a `baite` is accepted.....?? Heq.. P.N right..!!!
Also, I am sure, that this time your offer for a joint discussion on workers` day, is yet another attempt in breaking the workers` demonstration rights, and no other reasons..
Again.. Who gains if this were to happen......?? ......P.N. Ofcourse...!!!
Benjamin Pule`
May 1st 2008, 16:30
Mr Zammit, with all due respect, Why discuss again the 1960s? Those are past times - look at the future this country is facing. Students and other youngsters like me don't want to hear that crap again. Doesn't ever Dr.Gonzi get something right? I want to live the day where I see a MLP leader say what Dr. Gonzi said today...
thumbs up for Dr. Gonzi! You give us peace of mind and we will support you to make this country a better place for all of us!
Anthony A. Mifsud
May 1st 2008, 14:48
Weldone Dr. Gonzi, you have done it again!!
While your Super minister is saying one thing, your saying something different, what is happening ? don't use the Internet any more, to communicate ?
Give us some peace mind.
Tony
John Zammit
May 1st 2008, 14:29
Is not this one of the Nationalist Party's U-TURNS? As I remember well, in the 1960's when I was a young boy the PN and the Catholic church used to ban 1st May as a Comunist feast and public holiday and it was something horrific to celebrate Workers' Day. The PN made many U-turns and cannot say about the Labour Party.