A budget that will reflect the strength of a transparent, open and honest social dialogue for the protection of workers and employers
On the eve of the Budget, the Minister in the Office of the Prime Minister, responsible among others for social dialogue, Carmelo Abela together with the Minister for Gozo Clint Camilleri addressed the Council for Economic and Social Development (MCESD) f ‘Gozo, with an appeal for this region to make better use of the blue economy and the green economy. In their appeal, they stressed the importance of supporting innovation in agriculture, training in the tourism sector for a better service and that Gozo attracts digital innovation companies and digital nomads.
In his address, Minister Carmelo Abela, mentioned that this Government has promised a dialogue with the social partners of a transparent, open and honest nature, for the protection of both the workers’ sector and employers. This has been done, not only in terms of consultations on the 2021 Budget, but also in connection with discussions on the Covid-19 pandemic. A strong social dialogue that will not only lead to the protection of workers’ conditions and the saving of jobs during the pandemic, but to a 2021 Budget, which will be one whose measures will reflect the results achieved through collective work.
Carmelo Abela also spoke about the economic potential of Gozo. He mentioned how the potential of Gozo does not come alone and therefore there is a need for all of us together – Government, partners, entrepreneurs and all Gozitans and Maltese – to drive growth in Gozo, growth that is sustainable: economically, socially and environmentally.
Here he mentioned the environmental field, an opportunity where the fields of the green economy and the blue economy need to be further studied in order for Gozo to attract foreign investors for research and testing in these fields. This while putting tools, infrastructure and funds in the hands of young people and even established Gozitan entrepreneurs to be able to move to new niches.
The minister stressed that sustainability also fits into the traditional aspects. “One of the things we can focus on, Gozo in particular, is the agricultural sector and therefore a national effort is needed to present this field in a new way also because we want to see that we have food security. “especially in times of pandemic,” said the minister.
Carmelo Abela said that it is important that we continue our efforts so that Gozo continues to attract more companies in the field of informatics, ICT and digital innovation. In his conclusion he referred to Gozo which is attracting so-called digital nomads, international workers who do sub-contracting or self-employment and who can live wherever they want in the world.
Minister for Gozo Clint Camilleri said that the Government is working hard on accessibility. He stated that it is essential to recognize in a concrete way the challenges that Gozitans face due to the double insularity and to invest unprecedentedly in the connectivity between the two islands. Clint Camilleri went on to say that this is why this Government is committed to carrying out the tunnel project between Malta and Gozo. This tunnel will be offering many advantages for Gozitans who cross the channel to go to work every day. He also explained how in addition to the long-term tunnel solution, work is being done to introduce the fast ferry service, a fourth ship has been added and a new public transport route has been launched since the beginning of October with X300, connecting the Terminal in Cirkewwa with Mater Dei University and Hospital, GF Abela Junior College and Valletta.
Minister Camilleri explained the need to diversify so that Gozo does not depend only on tourism, while we continue to invest in infrastructure, and we continue to work on digital infrastructure. He said that final preparations are underway for the fiber optic cable to become operational by the end of this year. Clint Camilleri explained how through this infrastructure we can start attracting markets that we do not have today and bring investments to this island with an infrastructure that attracts anyone. He went on to say that investors will be able to invest in this island and create more jobs and quality work in Gozo for Gozitans
Minister Camilleri pointed out that Gozo has had domestic tourism this summer also through incentives taken by this Government and that although Gozo this summer was the natural choice of the Maltese, “we continued to help by halving fares so that Gozo can be selected for a holiday not only on weekends but throughout the week. ” Minister Camilleri explained that the wage supplement helped many businesses and that the successful voucher system not only helped families save but saved Maltese and Gozitan businesses and a number of jobs in the food sector. tourism and business. He concluded by saying that we will continue to look forward to more meetings with the social partners and more work for the good of Gozo and Gozitans.
In the afternoon, Ministers Carmelo Abela and Clint Camilleri paid a visit to the Xewkija Local Council and the Dream of Horses Non-Governmental Association in Xaghra. Here they heard their comments and thoughts for further social and economic development in Gozo.
