Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi this morning referred to next Thursday’s teachers’ strike and insisted that now was not the time for trade unions to order industrial action.

Dr Gonzi said this was the time for the trade unions and the government to meet around a table to discuss solutions aimed at safeguarding jobs in the face of the global economic crisis.

Safeguarding jobs was the government’s top priority, and it would not be distracted from it, Dr Gonzi said when speaking at San Gwann.

The Prime Minister said that next Friday marked the fifth anniversary since Malta joined the European Union, and the anniversary was intertwined with job creation.

EU membership had enabled Malta to attract investment and create thousands of jobs. Euro adoption had also shielded Malta in the international financial crisis.

Malta was part of the world and had been hit by the global economic crisis, Dr Gonzi said. The government was intervening, wherever was needed to protect jobs. No one, he said, should be allowed to distract the government from this top priority.This was a priority which should be shared by the trade unions, and all should seek solutions around a table with a sense of responsibility for the country.

Dr Gonzi said the government would also continue to work for a solution to the problem of illegal immigration.