“For the eighth consecutive month, unemployment has fallen in our country and is now almost at the same level as before the pandemic broke out” – Prime Minister Robert Abela.
At a meeting of the Cabinet of Ministers in the General Workers’ Union (GWU) building, Prime Minister Robert Abela said that it was very gratifying that the Cabinet was meeting with the GWU, which represents the interests of thousands of workers.
“In recent months we have shown that when faced with the greatest challenges, as a government, we have kept the interests of Maltese and Gozitan workers at our center. So in a global crisis we did not go for austerity measures but we went with a number of initiatives designed to support the quality of employment, where it is not the worker who bears the brunt of the situation “, said Dr Abela . He referred to the financial assistance provided by the government through the Economic Regeneration Plan while referring to the fact that the state spent € 366 million in wage supplement and quarantine leave. “At the same time we have continued to improve the conditions of our workers while giving them better wages and better conditions. In fact, last year we had 16 collective agreements in the public sector, some for the first time “, said the Prime Minister.
Prime Minister Robert Abela said that this is a belief ingrained in the heart of this government’s policy. “After all, that’s what we showed with one of the first legislative amendments this year when we ammended the change to the public holidays that come over the weekend and the leave associated with them. Now the worker has the peace of mind that when these holidays come, he will enjoy them “, he said.
He mentioned that last January, the number of unemployed people decreased again compared to the previous month. “It simply came to our notice then. Unemployment has been falling since June after the downturn and is now at almost the same level as before the pandemic. This means that for the eighth consecutive month, unemployment has decreased “, stressed the Prime Minister. “By working we reduce dependence on social benefits and give dignity to people. And to do that we need to have those initiatives through which we reward zeal. The worker must be rewarded and he must feel that the state is fair to him. However, the worker also has the strength to take care of himself and the quality of his life and that of his family. So we must also continue to talk about work-life balance and how we can work in the most efficient way. I believe that the worker must work to live and not live to work “, continued the Prime Minister.
Dr Abela also noted the positive reaction from the general public after the pre-1995 lease law reform was drafted last Saturday.
“It is clear that there is an appreciation for the way we wanted to achieve justice and peace of mind. Of course, we now continue to discuss throughout the parliamentary process. But, the principles we have worked with are the principles that will give owners a better future with a fair income, and reassurance to families. This is a reform with a historic stamp and this is the spirit I want to continue to lead. Without supervision and humility, where while we have our plans they are open to everyone’s ideas “, stated Dr Abela.
The Prime Minister closed his speech with reference to the changes in the law on the personal use of cannabis where he concluded that the Cabinet today will discuss the launch of a white paper which will lead to amendments in the law on full decriminalization of cannabis possession for personal use up to a certain amount.
“I believe that the country will move forward when we work together,” concluded Dr Abela.
For his part, GWU Secretary General Josef Bugeja said that the philosophy of the union is based on social justice, and in his presentation with the theme “Decent Work for a Better Quality of Life”, Mr Bugeja presented the union’s vision based on education, decent work in the contemporary world, society, the environment, quality of life, and the economy.
Photos: DOI/OPM
