Opposition leader Simon Busuttil has urged the government to take on board a PN proposal to give digital gaming companies fiscal incentives to encourage them to open shop in Malta.

Addressing supporters in Hamrun as part of the MEP election campaign, he said the government lacked a long-term jobs strategy.

The proposal was one of others the PN will be putting forward, he said, urging the government to cooperate with the Opposition to create a strategy.

"The government has no plan to create jobs for our young people, let alone our children who will be looking for a job in the future," Dr Busuttil said.

Reiterating the rallying call used by Eddie Fenech Adami when electd PN leader in 1977 - our heart is with the workers - Dr Busuttil insisted work gave people dignity.

"Job creation is the best social policy," he said, adding unemployment was going up because not enough new jobs were being created.

The theme of tonight's event was work and the crowd was also addressed by deputy leader Mario de Marco and former trade unionist Gejtu Vella.

Mr Vella urged the PN to take on the cause of hundreds of people who are employed with precarious conditions. He said despite the Labour government's promises to eradicate precarious jobs, the government was offering work contracts that barely covered the minimum wage.

Dr Busuttil's immediate reaction was that the PN was prepared to defend these workers. "The irony is that workers need someone to defend them when Labour is in government," he said.

Drawing parallels with people close to the Labour Party, who Dr Busuttil insisted, were employed with the government on lucrative wages. "This is a government that is creating inequality," he said.

Dr Busuttil said he was convinced the PN's message was being received by all those who feel betrayed by the unkept promises.