The government noted today that according to a Eurostat survey, the average wage in Malta grew faster that the EU average during the third quarter of the year.
The average wage in Malta grew by 2.1% when inflation was less than 0.4%. Wage growth in Malta covered all sectors.
In the EU, the average wage during the third quarter rose by 1.4%. Wage growth in Malta was the fifth best in the EU.
The biggest wage growth in Malta was in the construction sector at 4.4%. Wages in manufacturing grew slightly after having declined in the previous year.
The governemnt said the Eurostat statistics undermined PN arguments about downward pressure on wages and disposable income.
It also said that low inflation was a consequence of the government's decision to reduce utility tariffs.