PN sees Labour 'detached from reality'
The Nationalist Party has accused Labour of being detached from reality after it said in a statement today that ordinary families were not feeling the economic rebound which the government was boasting about.
The PN said the current economic situation called for cautious optimism. The global financial and economic crisis swept across the world at an alarming speed bringing to their knees strong economies and large corporations, wreaking havoc with hundreds of thousands of workers losing their jobs.
Malta , being part of the world, felt the pinch but the economy showed resilience and contrary to what happened elsewhere the results were not catastrophic as some, especially Labour, expected them to be.
The PN said that over 2,500 threatened jobs were saved and more than 7,000 created in 2009.
Malta had also seen an increase of 35% in exports, an increase of 4% in GDP, an increase of 11% in tourist arrivals, an increase in industrial production and a drop of more than € 50m in government’s deficit .
There was also an increase of 3,700 people in employment in the past year, according to the latest Labour Force Survey, and a decrease of 500 people registering for work with Malta now having one of the lowest unemployment rates in Europe.
"Certainly, more needs to be done and the effects of this economic recovery need to percolate further in people’s pockets, but the situation is definitely not bleak and there is no need for the doom and gloom which Labour repeats ad nausea," the PN said.
"The current economic situation calls for cautious optimism – sound government policies, a resilient economy and a capable workforce contrast sharply with Labour’s detachment from reality.
See also
http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20100910/local/families-not-feeling-economic-growth-pl
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JOe VELLa
Sep 11th 2010, 12:58
@Peter Korsten
Allow me to add two more to your fact
Fact: Our generation will not have time to pay this debt.
Fact: We are stealing the future of our children as they will have to pay this debt.
Emanuel Farrugia
Sep 11th 2010, 11:44
Qeghdin jidhru hafna is-successi f'dan il-pajjiz l-aktar fil-Kunsilli Lokali. Kull meta jibda joqrob iz-mien ghal xi elezzjoni dejjem nibdew naraw u nisimghu hafna stejjer biex nuru kemm ahna sbieh mas-socjeta.
Emanuel Farrugia former Executive Secretary Mtarfa Local Council
Jesmond Abela
Sep 11th 2010, 10:05
Joseph Muscat (ex gurnalist ta super 1) u issa il mexxej il gdid tal Partit Laburista, moderati w anki progressivi, qied jipprova ipingi li waslet l-ahhar dinja ghal Malta taghna. Ghadna nafdaw dan il mexxej il gdid lil pajjizna ? Kull min hu honest " deep down" jaf li Malta f'dan l-ahhar 23 sena rajna qabza kbira kemm fil hajja taghna kif nghixu w anki fl ekonomija tal pajjiz. Rajna investimenti kbar li lanqas qatt ma hlomna li jkollna. Standard of living tajjeb hafna (u ghalxejn JM jipprova ipingi kollox ikrah) Li Malta rnexxila idahhal EURO hija prova cara li il pajjiz miexi fid direzzjoni tajba u ta success. Lil mexxejja tal partit tal labour nghidilhom tibqawx taghmlu hsara lilkhom stess ghax sentejn malajr jghaddu u tergaw tibqghu fuq in naha lohra fejn ilkhom ghal dan l-ahhar 23 sena. It terrimoti ta JM ma waslu qatt u l-poplu jistenna li wara dan iz zmien kollu fl-oppozzjoni il partit ghandu hegga w ideat brillanti ghal dan il pajjiz , pero milli jider minn dan kollu mhemmx xejn hlief qried biss!!!!!!!
Dr Joe Brincat
Sep 11th 2010, 09:38
"Full-time employment in manufacturing, construction and hotels and restaurants fell as a result of a shift to part-time work between March 2009 and March this year.
The National Statistics Office said full-time employment dropped by 913, or 0.9 per cent, in the private sector and 196, or 0.5 per cent, in the public service. There was a drop of 869 in manufacturing, 592 in construction and 533 in hotels and restaurants." (Times 4/9/2010)
Was this real ??? Did things change since last Saturday ?
Dr Joe Brincat
Sep 11th 2010, 09:29
Eurostat publishes other statistics. Inflation rate for Malta is 2.5% placing us 13th highest in the Euro Zone. Malta had a drop of 1.6% in volume of total retail sales between May and June, while in Euro Zone there was a slight increase. This drop was the highest. In May compared to April the drop was 8.6% again the highest. (These are two months when tourism is not at its peak and consequently it reflects mainly residents).
No comment from me. But how do you interpret these figures ?
c falzon
Sep 11th 2010, 08:32
Hehe....labour is detached from the reality???? Hello GonziPN...r u living in Malta??? Where is the economic rebound.??? Cause u see people eating a pizza on saturday jew? Alla hares we cannot afford going out once a week for a pizza ta mhux xi 5star hotel. Dream on PN. U'll wait and see in the next general elections.
Charles Callus
Sep 11th 2010, 10:31
But no, a few months ago we had PN stalwarts saying that we should be tightening our belts and if we went out to eat once a week, we should restrain ourselves and go less frequently. Oh and yes, a reminder, that even if you order a take away, that is like eating out.
It is true that some restaurants are fully booked....on a Saturday and in certain areas. Yes it is true that you see the queue. But I also see the same restaurants throughout the week and it is a different story. In winter some restaurants don't open during the week at akk and open only Friday, Saturday and Sunday depending on their location.
Have you people noticed the price hikes in foodstuffs? Almost every month there are price fluctuations. Be it frozen, fresh, tinned or whatever. Not by much, 0.03 cents here and 0.02 cents there but then it all adds up.
The PN keeps saying that Malta like the rest of the world felt the pinch - but this contradicts what some PN people say here in their contributions. So, who's not saying the truth?
Kenneth Galea
Sep 11th 2010, 11:43
If you want to eat two pizzas a week instead of one then watch your waist!
What is the fuss all about PN? The PL are acknowledging that the economy is back on its feet thanks to foreign investement. I wonder what would have happened if we are a 'Switzerland in the Mediterranean'. If ordinary people like myself want to feel the benefits of the growing economy then they should take on two jobs instead of one. The mentality of some people is that they expect the State to look after them from cradle to grave! It is normally these people who do NOT gain from the effects of a stable economy. PL do not encourage people to sponge off us tax payers please.
Charles Callus
Sep 11th 2010, 12:38
Kenneth Galea.
You're very funny with your pizza comment. Maybe your second job should be a comedian - if you need a second job. Maybe you don't.
Standard of living for the medium class has lowered. You need a second job to keep up, maybe treat yourself. Maybe a part time job - there seem to be many around.
Remember when Dr Fenech Adami said "Il mara tohrog tahdem biex ikollhom airconditioner..." He was then implying that there was no real need for married women to seek work since their husbands wage was enough and could cater for all the family needs. Is that the case now for the middle class?
How much does your weekly shopping cost? How much do you spend on traveling to work every month? On average, how much does your utilities bill cost in a month? What about internet and commuications how much do those cost you in a month? And after all your expenses have been deducted, how much money have you been able to save?
V Caruana
Sep 11th 2010, 07:16
The PN is acting on a communist-socialist regime propaganda exercise. In reality families DO NOT live on statistics. In recent weeks we have been experiencing price hikes on
a) the introduction of Smart meters replacing electromechanical meters has "increased" the power consumption by more than 10%
b) Increase of fee/donation of private schools - one particular school by 50% increase
c) School transport by Co-op Services
d) Bread price
Just a few not to sound tedious and a moaner.
malcolm seychell
Sep 10th 2010, 21:39
Labour is not the solution. This country needs less and less socialism to move forward.
Labour will make things much worse.
Darren Cassar
Sep 11th 2010, 07:28
Don't you notice that the 2 main parties in Malta changed roles a long time ago.
Lino Attard
Sep 10th 2010, 21:19
It just shows how the PN lost touch with the people especially the middle class. Inqatghu mill poplu!!!
c camilleri
Sep 10th 2010, 21:01
If the PL are detached from reality, the PN are negating it. Carry on dreaming PN, at the next general polls you will face reality.....
jesmond zammit
Sep 10th 2010, 20:53
il pn, lanqas biss idea m ghandu x ihossu nies bhalna naqalawha u niekluha , ahseb u ara kemm se jattakka lil pl . issa xaghar qabel l elezzjoni jinduna ta imma, ghax inehhi l licenzja tat tv, inaqqas il kontijiet tad dawl ,etc. l ahhar elezzjoni gara l istess .il pn qed ikompli jhaffer il hofra ghad difna.
Joe Busuttil
Sep 10th 2010, 20:47
The PN ,or Gonzi PN,has got quite a cheek saying that Labour is detached from reality. It's clear that whoever came out with that accusation has fat cats as his everyday friends. It's time for the big arrogant heads to come down to street level and see the sacrifices that the common folks have to go through to make ends meet. They could also try and live for a week on an average pay or pension,and fork out for house maintenance out of their own pockets etc etc etc (too many to list.)
K Tonna
Sep 10th 2010, 20:33
Labour was always detached from reality, the history says it all..... 1. Independence 2. Free/competive Market 3. Privatisation 4. EU 5. VAT 6. Local Councils 7. Media pluralisation 8. Euro currency .......never ending list. and.....there is no globla recession....they try and make believe the people that the global economy has nothing to do with Malta!!!! This is all fault of GONZI..... Dr. Muscat, your honeymoon and sweet talk is over, now you are not a journalist but a 'leader' who potray a vision, you cannot please anyone at any cost....one day you will need to show your real face behind that mask.
Peter Korsten
Sep 10th 2010, 22:01
Fact: the national debt is over €4bn, and still going up.
Fact: €80m is being spent on the City Gate project, which should be ready just in time before the next elections.
What does global recession have to do with that?
Sam Cassar
Sep 10th 2010, 20:26
I spent a couple of months in Spain and Portugal and I thank my lucky stars that I live in this small island of ours ghax qas idea tad-dizastru li hemm fi Spanja u l-Portugal ma ghandna...imbad jigi Muscat u jipprova jaqta qalb in-nies. Gharukaza
martin saliba
Sep 10th 2010, 20:53
Mela suppost ghandu jidispjacik li ivvotajt iva ghax mexewk minn imniehrek ghax hafna minkom ma kontux kapaci tidecidu ghalikom infuskom u smajtu biss it tajjeb li bellalkom haddiehor. Il pajjizi li semejt huma akbar minna u huma membri shah fil EU bhalna. Jien , personali u mux ghax jighid haddiehor , qatt ma qbilt li ghana inkun membri shah. Kienu qedin jigdbu meta qghallulkom jew membri shah jew xejn ghax lill turkija irridu jofrulom " part membership. Issa komlpi imxi wara il karrotta u idefendi il hazin ghax bhall li kieku int mux toqba fil but bhal haddiehor ghandek.
mpace2
Sep 10th 2010, 20:11
Are the P.N. big heads are making any home visits or they scaring from any backlash when they speak the common families on the street because they lose any votes When they make the once in a million visit they for sure feels the suffering and the lack of important of daily materials which every Maltese family are going right now and that why the Labour speak about- and the only fantasy to look that we are in the right direction with E.U. eyes is that the island is running without any problems at all please ask Mr Barruso to visit any couples with low income and they see difference what been taught
Charles Massa
Sep 10th 2010, 19:08
Mela issa sur Gonzi naqsilna l income tax, li VAT, il kontijiet ta dawl u ilma, jorhos il gass, petrol diesel etc. Wara kollox meta l ekonomija kienet hazina ghamilna sagrificji. Issa la kollox sew u miexi fuq ir rubini tajjeb li niehdu ftit cejca
M Grima
Sep 10th 2010, 18:59
Just to make things clear,Labour is not talking about those who holiday on yachts and are constantly throwing parties round their pools,they are talking about the ordinary man in the street with a family to keep fed and clothed and sheltered,the man who probably is working on a part time basis or on a timed contract and has to pay these extraordinary high European prices without a European salary to match. There's more of those than the former,and they will be the one's that when the time comes to vote will think twice. Its the PN that needs to be real surely.
M. Grech
Sep 10th 2010, 18:55
Pot calling the kettle black!!!! :))
Peter Korsten
Sep 10th 2010, 18:46
The national debt is still going up (very nice that the deficit went down, but they're still spending more than they're earning), and yet we spend €80m on the City Gate project, plus a 'transparent parliament' to symbolise the transparency of Maltese politics. Now who is detached from reality?
Fenech M D
Sep 10th 2010, 18:34
I am very happy that PN is saying that all is well. I can now expect a decrease in income tax as promised in 2008. If this does not happen, then PN IS DETACHED FROM REALITY.
Maria D.Sacco
Sep 10th 2010, 19:03
Ever had a go at stand up comedies? As a by-line, I mean. No harm in trying.
Adriano Spiteri
Sep 10th 2010, 18:08
Two Socialists pointing fingers at each other.
The two sides of the same worthless coin.
Robert Callus
Sep 10th 2010, 20:11
Socialists?? Socialists don't pledge allegiance to subcontractors, accept that 2/3 of the people in the private sector are not affiliated in a Trade Union (mostly through intimidation), and have people work more than 40 hours a week and considered as part-timers, while the minimum wage is miserable. Real socialists give priority to workers not big business. Socialists my foot.
Ray Saliba
Sep 10th 2010, 17:56
Is it a case of a Tale of Two Worlds?!!... I wonder....
Jack Abela
Sep 10th 2010, 17:42
If all is fine, then we can expect the income tax rate to be slashed down to 25%, as promised and re-promised whenever an election looms ... right? Until that happens, please pull the other one.
martin saliba
Sep 10th 2010, 17:35
By what i hear on the TVM news the statistics mentioned in the article are a little warped at the least. Last week they said that unemployment was down and employment was up. They also said that most of the employments were part time. If that is good then carry on.