Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi said this evening that layoffs were among his most serious concerns in the past legislature, and the government was proud to have been able to take prompt action which saved 5,000 jobs during the international financial crisis four years ago.
Speaking in Qrendi, Dr Gonzi said Malta was today in a far better situation than its neighbours, thanks to decisions taken by the government.
Apart from saving 5,000 jobs, the government had also created 20,000 new ones. But the people should not take the situation for granted.
Job creation over the next five years was crucial as it would help the economy grow and create more wealth.
“If we continue to creating jobs, then the country will move forward and generate more wealth. If we don’t manage we can’t do anything,” he said.
He emphasised the importance of education and of constantly learning new skills, saying it was “crucial for the country to go forward”.
Over the next seven weeks of campaign, the Nationalist Party was going to explain its policies. “We still are waiting for an explanation from the Labour Party about what it means when it says there is a change in direction. They will change for the worse,” he said.