Francis Zammit Dimech (PN) said that EU membership was beneficial for Malta, making it more attractive for investment. This resulted in more employment opportunities.

Speaking during the European Union (Amendment) Bill, Dr Zammit Dimech said that during the first two years of its membership, Malta had benefitted from €1 billion between 2007 and 2013.

Dr Zammit Dimech gave statistics to underline his argument: people in full-time employment increased by 12,725 from 137,134 in May 2004 to 149,859 last September. There was a higher increase of those in full-time employment in the private sector: 18,741. This took place at a time when the public sector shed 6,000 employees.

During the same period, the number of self-employed had increased by 1,424 to 17,546.

There were also 11,034 more women in employment.

Since EU membership, there were 130 new factories and extensions, which created 3,400 jobs. Between May 2004 and September 2011, ETC had 79,266 vacancies while there were 29,631 placements.

The Bill under discussion should be considered in this context, he concluded.

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