Kurt Sansone
Unemployment plagues Gozo and the south
Gozo had the highest regional jobless rate in May, eclipsing the south, as unemployment increased by more than 1,200 overall.
According to statistics presented in Parliament by Social Policy Minister John Dalli, the number of registered unemployed stood at 7,266 in May, up by 21 per cent over the same month a year earlier. The figures were broken down by locality.
An analysis by The Times of the jobless figures showed that, when compared to the respective population of the individual towns, Cospicua and Żebbuġ in Gozo came top of the league. In both localities, the number of registered unemployed stood at 4.7 per cent of their respective populations.
The three cities of Cottonera, Kalkara, Xgħajra, Valletta, Floriana and the Gozitan villages of Munxar and Nadur rounded up the top 10 localities with the highest unemployment figures.
The number of jobless was much less pronounced in the more affluent north and west of Malta. In fact, almost all the 10 localities with the lowest unemployment were towns and villages in the north of the island.
The village of Għasri was the only Gozitan locality to make the top 10 while none of the villages in the south made the low unemployment grade.
A regional analysis showed the number of registered unemployed in Gozo amounted to 2.4 per cent of the island's population. This eclipsed the south and south-east region of Malta where unemployment stood at 2.3 per cent.
In complete contrast, unemployment in the northern and western region of Malta stood at 1.3 per cent.
The statistics offered a worrying scenario for politicians from the worst affected areas.
Labour MP Chris Agius, who comes from Cospicua, pointed his finger at the "lack of education" among young people in the Cottonera area as among the causes for the seemingly persistently high unemployment in the area.
On the other hand, Parliamentary Secretary Chris Said, who comes from Nadur, pointed his finger at the lack of new job opportunities in Gozo, after the manufacturing sector in the island took a hammering in the past years.
He said unemployment rates in Gozo were among the lowest seven years ago.
Dr Said added that while restructuring in Malta may have had less of an impact because the old jobs were replaced, Gozo experienced fewer replacement opportunities.
"Time has shown us it is difficult to have a strong manufacturing base in Gozo despite the government offering attractive packages to investors," he said.
The problems were further compounded because seasonality had a bigger effect on the tourism sector in Gozo.
The government was responding to market realities by identifying niche areas to develop and diversify the Gozitan economy.
Dr Said said: "The government has shifted some of its own back office work to Gozo even to act as a model employer for the private sector. Diving, agri-tourism and financial services are three niche areas we intend developing further."
However, Dr Said acknowledged there would always be a problem for unskilled people to find a job because the likelihood of earning a low wage did not even make it attractive for them to find a job in Malta, given the additional travel costs. "We have to ensure new job opportunities in Gozo also cater for these people," he said.
Low skilled workers were also cause for concern for Mr Agius.
"Too many children from Cottonera are leaving school without having obtained the right skills or the right knowledge to continue studying, which would enable them to find better jobs," Mr Agius said.
He said the country was experiencing a lack of lower-skilled jobs, which made it more difficult for those without education to find employment. "Before, we had the textile industry that provided employment for a lot of people in the south but these have almost vanished," he said.
The job market had become "very insecure" and in such a situation it was the lower skilled that felt the brunt, the Labour MP added.
He acknowledged that the higher number of students from Cottonera who passed their Junior Lyceum exam was a positive development this year. However, he questioned why most of the sixth grade students opted not to sit for the exam in the first place.
"The educational system needs to reach every student so that at the end of primary school every student would feel obliged to sit for the exam. It is only then that we can start seeing an improvement even in the job prospects of people from the south," Mr Agius said.
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George&Diana
Jun 25th 2009, 20:58
I hear and read alot of silly comments against Gozo and the Gozitans, we are from the UK, retired here we don't own our framhouse, we are just renting long let and hopefully if god's willing much longer, i must come at the defence of the Gozitans, in our experience we have never in our travels have met such nice and helpful people such as the Gozitans, we love these people, they are honest and not two faced as oppose to some we've met in Malta, its true they try to make money but then again who doesn't? try and go to Canada or the States or even Australia to these people the Dollar is God. However on a nicer note in Gozo one doesn't need plenty of cash to be happy, the Gozitans are there for us and more then willing to help. Long live Gozo and the Gozitans thats our motto and as a British pensioner we are very grateful for all their help, when my wife was in the local hospital.Thanks to all and also their lovely churches and their friendly local priests and last but not least the Bishop Mario Grech .
Joseph Spiteri
Jun 25th 2009, 09:34
i'm a 26 year old gozitan and i knew very few people who are farmers and fishermen in gozo - these assumptions are generalizations by maltese people who think they are superiorly intellectual to us. And not everyone owns property - in fact most property you see for rent is owned by only a handful of real estate tycoons on the island.
i agree with antoine camilleri about how some gozitans treat our maltese 'tourists' when they come over. i hate when i hear things like this happen - don't bite the hand that feeds you and all that. i work in catering and a maltese person will spend more money when dining than any foreigner. and as mentioned we get a very small percentage of tourists - most of whom just come for the day.
anyway for the record, my belief is that if you really and truly want to work in gozo- you will find a job if it's during the summer season. winter here is pretty bleak.
Kevin Cassar
Jun 25th 2009, 00:37
Ref:-C.Bezzina you took the words right out my mouth, i have never seen a poor Gozitan, they might look poorish some of them but don't be fooled by their appearences, they got more lolly stashed away then the whole of Malta put together. I have just finsihed my IT. course and have diplomas as long as your arm, but can i get a job at 23? do i hell.regretably i might have to move away from my family to a host country is the only way forward for me for a decent wage, but there you go thats life
Carmel Saliba
Jun 24th 2009, 23:15
Cospicua and Żebbuġ in Gozo came top of the league when compared to the respective population of the individual towns. In both localities, the number of registered unemployed stood at 4.7 per cent of their respective populations.
This is not the real situation of Zebbug Gozo. Although there are unemployed people and even might be there those who abuse, the people of this Gozitan village are hard working people.
Zebbug Gozo includes Marsalforn. If the 85 unemployed or 4.7% were broken down by people living in Zebbug and those living in Marsalforn, then we will have a different situation.
Even Munxar who placed 5th with 39 or 3.6% unemployed includes Xlendi is being given an unreal situation of Munxar.
Social Policy Minister John Dalli should separate Zebbug from Marsalforn and even Munxar from Xlendi. Then we will have a better unemployment situation in Malta.
Then Zebbug Gozo will place within the lowest 10 localities with 1% or lesser compared with that given of 4'7%.
Carmel Saliba
Jun 24th 2009, 23:15
Cospicua and Żebbuġ in Gozo came top of the league when compared to the respective population of the individual towns. In both localities, the number of registered unemployed stood at 4.7 per cent of their respective populations.
This is not the real situation of Zebbug Gozo. Although there are unemployed people and even might be there those who abuse, the people of this Gozitan village are hard working people.
Zebbug Gozo includes Marsalforn. If the 85 unemployed or 4.7% were broken down by people living in Zebbug and those living in Marsalforn, then we will have a different situation.
Even Munxar who placed 5th with 39 or 3.6% unemployed includes Xlendi is being given an unreal situation of Munxar.
Social Policy Minister John Dalli should separate Zebbug from Marsalforn and even Munxar from Xlendi. Then we will have a better unemployment situation in Malta.
Then Zebbug Gozo will place within the lowest 10 localities with 1% or lesser compared with that given of 4'7%.
R. Callus
Jun 24th 2009, 21:47
Many of these comments here are plain sick. Unemployment is a serious problem in the Maltese archipelago. We should look for the reasons, some out of control (global economy), many in control (wise investments, heritage and env to attract tourists), not wage a cyber war between Maltese and Gozitans.
Another point, I believe Gozo should invest more in eco and aggro tourism, before all the land is raped by construction magnets
Charles Bezzina
Jun 24th 2009, 20:24
Believe you me guys, the people in Gozo are not poor i garantee that, they know how to make money without any investments in Gozo., If they TRY and sell some of their empty properties there will be made for life and no need for them to go to work, its us the Maltese are the once that ned more jobs firsly and foremost.
l borg
Jun 24th 2009, 17:43
gozo should be cut off from malta and have a republic state
it will save malta from socisl secrity funds and taxes
after all all gozo people are rich
James De Giorgio
Jun 24th 2009, 16:23
Does this mean that Malta's unemployment is just two percent???
g.sinagra
Jun 24th 2009, 16:06
Come on Giovanna get your finger out wave your magic wand.
Mark Galea
Jun 24th 2009, 16:00
@P Borg , @Luke Gatt, @mario gellel , @John Azzopardi, @Joseph E Briffa , @JOSEPH E bRIFFA , @Antoine Camilleri
Classic Maltese (excluding the Gozitans obviously) comments
... the pot calling the kettle black !
maariella caruana
Jun 24th 2009, 15:42
Statisticas are just lies. True, in Cottonera area gravitate the less affluent and underprivileged mainly because of affordability of sub-standard housing, which is a disgrace to our country. However, to say that unemployment is rife and job opporunities are lacking in Gozo is a blatant inaccuracy. Gozitans hold more than one job, usually combine farming, fishing, odd jobs ,etc with renting out property. They are very industrious and quite sharp. Besides, everywhere in Malta and people make money on the side. If unamplyment was really a problem in Malta, how come so many foreigners are seen working in all strata of society?
emanuel bajada
Jun 24th 2009, 14:08
Get facts please:
@P Borg - where did you get this theory from? in reality gozitan unemployed would not even bother to register for work as he knows very well he chances are ZERO!!
@Gellel - unemployment number is percentage of employed persons, so your boarded out reference mistaken
@Briffa - yes Gozo is just a part-time place where possible and if you are lucky. Just for your knowledge only 4% of total tourist arrivals spent an overnight or more in Gozo and av. nights spent is 2.8 as compared to the av 7+ nights in Malta
Antoine Camilleri
Jun 24th 2009, 13:56
@ferriggi
I used to visit Gozo nearly every year, and on occasions used to spend a whole month. I have seen Gozo change quite a lot, and certain things really irritate me. The prices have gone up, way up when it comes to catering, yet the quality has taken a nose dive. Double standards apply for Gozitans and Maltese. I park my car next to a Gozitan's, I get fined and he does not. Remember that the bulk of your tourists come from Malta so please learn the lesson the Maltese learned a decade ago. A quick buck is another nail in the coffin. Many Maltese feel ripped off when visiting your beautiful island. Please do not feel offended by these comments. I mean well and appreciate the fact that Gozo is in a worse situation than Malta. I am visiting Gozo next week and hope that I will be pleasantly surprised
JOSEPH E bRIFFA
Jun 24th 2009, 13:46
@ r Ferriggi...I have never seen anyone begging alms in Gozo; neither have I seen people looking like scarecrows, they all appear to be well- fed and alot have a healthy peasant-stock build, like treetrunks. The Gozitans I see all have a healthy colour and their women are quite buxom. What most Gozitans say they lack is money and property; that's why they don't pay much in the way of taxes
r ferriggi
Jun 24th 2009, 12:32
to Briffa et al
your comments are not based on any facts. they are just assumptions are what others told you or are just '' impressions'' .
it is like saying '' the sicilians are all...'' when we fully well know that WE MALTESE are pretty good at it,,, if not even BETTER.
you have to be in gozo to be able to comment like that!!
yes,,, gozo is suffering more than malta.
before you throw provocative comments you should check your facts well,,,, unless you have other things in mind.
Joseph E Briffa
Jun 24th 2009, 11:58
figures are just figures after all. Would any one believe that there is unemployment in Gozo or in Cottonera for that matter? I believe the Gozitans do several jobs: they are part time farmers, part time drivers, part-time tourist guides, part-time renting our flats and getting commisions from the owners or get ting the whole amount as owners, they are also part time sellers on the open market, part-time hosts to foreigners who come here to study English, part time domestic servants,.... and..and also part-time registering as unemployed.
Antoine Camilleri
Jun 24th 2009, 11:31
Should we be surprised? Maybe the real truth behind rising unemployment is that the construction industry has suffered a blow. Shall we continue to blame the textile industry?
These islands have been plagued by ruthless construction work for too long, and as a result we have become a concrete jungle which has negatively impacted the tourist industry. To top it all up the global recession is taking its toll, so would be tourists opt for cheaper destinations.
John Azzopardi
Jun 24th 2009, 11:09
I don't see any homeless people in Gozo or any living on the pverty line like there are in the inner harbour areas.
Mark Galea
Jun 24th 2009, 10:59
@Luke Gatt
there are more vacancies in Gozo since conditions of work in the private sector in Gozo are so miserable that it is less tiresome to travel to Malta and back everyday than to work there. I am one of those hundreds that do so, everyday.
L Xerri
Jun 24th 2009, 10:57
Do Gozo and Malta favor and build that bridge.!!!!!
I
mario gellel
Jun 24th 2009, 10:56
1-How come unimployment rose by 21%(1,200) from May 2008, when Dr.Gonzi told us to
beleave he created 7,000 new jobs last year? Something or someone is not right.
2-The South was never in the PN goverment agenda, because its a PL stronghold
3-The fact that Gozo has high unimployment is for the reason that a lot were borded out
before last general election with the blessing of ?
Luke Gatt
Jun 24th 2009, 10:23
If one goes to the etc website one will notice that the Gozo region has the highest number of vacancies. So how come Gozo has high unemployment.
Mark Galea
Jun 24th 2009, 10:06
The unemployment plague in Gozo can be reduced by dumping the ferries for a bridge.
P Borg
Jun 24th 2009, 10:00
I would like to see more spot-checks on unemployed Gozitans and you'd be surprised at how the above-mentioned figures would change from day to night.
Alas, we are still in Malta and we - the taxpayers - can't do anything about this ridiculous situation.