Just three companies were set up in Gozo during the past year, and were planning to employ only eight people within three years, according to Labour spokesman Anton Refalo.

Gozo was suffering economically with no foreign investment reaching the island, Dr Refalo told a news conference, as he accused the government of “playing” with employment figures for Gozo.

The only official statistics that existed for Gozo were connected to the number of crossings between Malta and Gozo. No regional statistics existed that reflected reality, Dr Refalo said.

Dr Refalo said the Labour Party had a “clear vision” for Gozo which had been discussed, while the government had spoken about it but implemented “almost nothing”.

This attitude was clear when through a Labour motion, there was an opportunity to give Gozitans a voice and a seat on the Malta Council for Economic and Social Development.

The motion failed to pass because all government MPs, including two Gozitans and the Gozo Minister, voted against it.

Fifty per cent of Gozo’s youngsters were jobless and had to find a job in Malta. This created an ageing population on an island that was failing to attract foreign investors, he added.

The Gozo Ministry denied Labour’s claims, saying the government created schemes allowing companies to invest more and employ more Gozitans.

Also, more Gozitans were graduating because they were being given more support over and above the stipend. The number of courses in Mcast and learning facilities in Gozo were increasing because the government increased its investment, the ministry said.

Gozo also had a “valid representation” in the Gozo Business Chamber and the Gozo Tourism Association through various government support initiatives and were recognised on a regional and national basis, the ministry added.