New Air Malta retirement schemes are to be issued in the coming days in a bid to save the airline, Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi announced this evening.
Speaking at a mass meeting held to celebrate the 47th anniversary of Malta's independence, Dr Gonzi encouraged the workers to take up these schemes.
He said that the government was doing its utmost to save Air Malta but unions and workers also had to do their bit.
The Prime Minister also spoke on the Libyan revolution, saying that the Nationalist government had yet again risen to the challenge and fearlessly carried out its duty, supporting those who fought for their freedom and democracy.
"As always, the Nationalist government did what was right and put the people's interests first and foremost."
Malta now rejoiced with the Libyans in their acquisition of freedom and independence and congratulated them for the courage and determination.
As Libya's neighbour and in spite of the risks, pressures and difficulties it had to face, Malta took an active and direct part in the situation, initially serving as a humanitarian base for the thousands who had to be evacuated.
It was also among the first countries to condemn the violence and to call for the end of the Gaddafi regime. It was also the first countries to recognise the National Transitional Council as the legitimate Libyan government.
Malta offered protection to two Libyan pilots who opted to defect rather than obey orders to bombard a small village and it accepted aircraft taking part in the implementation of the UN no-fly zone whenever they needed to make emergency landings.
It accepted some 1,500 immigrants who, at great risk, had escaped the war in Libya and it welcome injured children and adults and offered them treatment.
The Labour Party, on the other hand, waited until it was sure who would win before taking a position.
In six months, it never condemned Gaddafi's behaviour but defended him to the end.
Rather than condemning the Gaddafi regime, the PL criticised the government for recognising the NTC.
One, the PL's radio incited the people against the government for authorising emergency landings in Malta and exploited for political gain the saving of used 171 immigrants from sure death at sea.
Former PL leader and Prime Minister Karmenu Mifsud Bonnici continued to say that Gaddafi should not go but should fight to the end.
"We, on the other hand, call upon Gaddafi to surrender and face justice for the crimes he committed."
Dr Gonzi said that his government always sought to do what was right and:
"Yet again I ask you to judge us not just by what we say but by what we do," Dr Gonzi said to applause.
He said that while others were ashamed of their past, washed their hands of the present and did not care about the future, the PN was proud of its past, its present and the future it was building for the people.
Earlier, Dr Gonzi highlighted the achievements of his government including in employment, creating 6,000 new jobs while further reducing unemployment.
Dr Gonzi noted that investment had continued to increase, the economic rhythm was retained and growth was registered.
Malta also managed to reduce its deficit as well as taxation, the government continued to invest in infrastructure and in the environment, helping families invest in alternative energy besides the major infrastructural projects undertaken.
Substantial investment of €354 million, nearly double that made in 1998, the last year of the Labour government, was also made in education while investment in health was increased from €160 million in 1998 to €345 million last year.
The government also managed to achieve new records in tourism.