Employment situation being monitored - Gonzi

The government is constantly monitoring the employment situation in Malta and was seeing how the 200 ST employees expected to lose their job soon could be least affected.

Addressing a dialogue meeting this morning, Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi said that about another 250 ST employees were reaching pensionable age.

The government, he said, had done its utmost to keep ST a relevant company in Malta not just for the moment but for the next 10 years. He hoped for a solution to the international financial crisis so that the order books for companies, such as ST and others, would again fill up.

Earlier in his address, Dr Gonzi spoke about what he termed as spokes in the wheels by the Opposition to hinder dialogue in the country.

He said that since his decision to appoint a President with a different political opinion, reflecting a new level of maturity, the Opposition increased its attempts to alienate people.

While the government was trying to unite people, the Opposition, even with its new leader, was trying to divide the people and instill doubts.

Dr Gonzi referred to the Opposition’s attempt in Parliament two weeks ago to prevent Parliament from continuing to meet on Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays as it had been doing for years.

As Minister John Dalli stood up and proposed the adjournment of the House to the following Tuesday, Opposition whip Joe Mizzi said that according to the rules the House should only meet on Mondays and Thursdays.

So he moved a procedural motion for Parliament to meet when necessary, the Pirme Minister said.

The Opposition had tried to prevent it from being able to represent Malta in the EU.

But in a statement, the Labour Party said the procedural motion was confirmation of Dr Gonzi's arrogance.

Dr Gonzi also referred this morning to what former Labour leader Alfred Sant wrote today that Malta’s EU membership and the introduction of the Euro has not meant anything for the country.

Had Malta not been an EU member at this time, it would have been a weak country being ridden over by the currents. It was EU membership which was keeping Malta strong.

Dr Gonzi congratulated President Eddie Fenech Adami, who turned 75 yesterday, Chiara for winning the MaltaSong festival, and all singers who took part.