The government's Vision 2015 was devoid of the social aspect and only sets economic goals, Union Ħaddiema Magħqudin general secretary Gejtu Vella charged yesterday.

In view of the lack of this aspect, the union was embarking on an exercise, which it called the 2015 People's Social Vision, to draw up social goals to complement the government's vision.

Mr Vella said this project, which would be coordinated by Fr Peter Serracino Inglott, would balance the vision and focus on six social aspects which the union identified as important for the country's future. These included the IT revolution, health, the family, education, better quality of life and institutional and democratic structures in the country.

The government's Vision 2015 focuses on ICT, tourism, manufacturing, health, education, health and Gozo as an eco-island.

Addressing a press conference outside Parliament in Valletta, Mr Vella said that, for the government's aims to be reached, they had to be based on social values.

He said its vision did not take into account people's social well-being, adding that the fear of the creation of social strata became more of a reality if economic visions did not put people at their centre.

On health, Mr Vella said services at Mater Dei Hospital and the community sector had to be improved. Regarding education, he said the country should place stronger emphasis on lifelong learning because knowledge was growing rapidly and no one could be satisfied with what he learnt only in his youth.

On quality of life, he said it was not enough to have laws to guarantee social justice but assistance had to be given according to the different needs of the people.

Within the context of the family, Mr Vella said the union did not yet have an official position on whether Malta should introduce divorce.

Notwithstanding this, he said, the union believed in measures to strengthen the family unit and measures had to be taken to first strengthen families, followed by other measures if people continued to face difficulties.

Mr Vella said between now and the end of September, the union would be collecting feedback from people and would publish the first draft of its document in time for its 44th anniversary.

He said this document would continue to be discussed, including at the union's general conference next year.