Muscat denies PL wants direct government intervention in markets

Labour leader Joseph Muscat this afternoon denied that the Labour Party believed that the government should intervene in the market and directly import products and services.

Referring to recent reports, Dr Muscat said that what the party was calling for was for greater transparency by the government with regard to the products it already imported, such as fuel.

Dr Muscat spoke about labour's policies when he met a delegation from the Chamber of Commerce at PL headquarters.

The PL in a statement said that Dr Muscat called on the government to declare a freeze for next year on taxes and tariffs and to declare a ceiling on water and power tariffs so that businesses could have greater certainty in their planning.

He said the doubling of LPG gas prices in four months was detrimental to both domestic consumers and businesses.

He criticised the government for having issued eviction notices for a number of shop owners in Valletta, for the new City Gate project, without sufficient notice, saying capital projects should have a proper period of planning.

Dr Muscat said the PL believed in an open and free economy where consumers were free to make their choices and a national agency safeguarded their rights.

Referring to the current economic situation, Dr Muscat said the PL was backing calls for an economic stimulus package. The government, he said, should also consider a reduction of VAT in sectors such as restaurant services.

The Chamber delegation was led by its president, Helga Ellul, who underscored the need for an economic climate which promoted job creation.