While some West Ham supporters were left frustrated with their inability to find accommodation in Malta work last week’s Europa league tie against Birkirkara, Prime Minister Joseph Muscat was quick to find the positives in the situation.

Speaking on One Radio, Dr Muscat said stories about West Ham supporters not being able to find accommodation in Malta are a good advert for the country.

“This is encouraging, when tourists read it, they will know a lot of people are going to Malta,” Dr Muscat said of the West Ham supporters’ accommodation woes.

Capacity problems exist in other areas as well, with the Prime Minister saying there is not enough space to accommodate more cruise liners, and further expansion is necessary in order for the industry to continue to grow.

A capacity problem also exists at Malta International Airport, with Dr Muscat saying that during the Commonwealth meeting later this year, some leaders will be stopped off by plane in Malta, with the plane then proceeding to Sicily due to a lack of space.

On this week’s power cuts, Dr Muscat said a record peak-load was registered due to the hit, record tourist numbers and Malta’s continued economic growth.

He said there was a chronic lack of investment in Enemalta’s distribution network, a problem which is gradually being rectified.

Dr Muscat said the conversion to a gas-powered plant will occur as planned, and the government will ensure that distribution, particularly to tourist-filled areas, will be more reliable.

PM hits back at Opposition for BOV criticism

Dr Muscat hit back at the Opposition’s recent criticism of Bank of Valletta and its Chairman John Cassar White, saying that Mr Cassar White was trusted by the previous government and was appointed as Chairman of Malta Shipyards during a “crucial time.”

The bank has come under the Opposition’s scrutiny recently for a number of reasons, chiefly the “unique” early retirement package given to Parliamentary Secretary Michael Fazlon by the bank, the €88 million loan guarantee for the power station consortium and the unsecured loans given by the bank to Air Malta.

Dr Muscat expressed his disappointment at this criticism, pointing out that there has always been a consensual approach by the two political parties when it comes to the financial services industry.

He said “the proof of the pudding” that such an approach still exists has to come from the Opposition.

Dr Muscat said he is always “cautious” when speaking about institutions, particularly those listed on the stock exchange, and during his five years in Opposition he had “a lot” to talk about but held back.

Party financing

The Prime Minister also hit out at the Oppositions criticism of the new party financing law.

He questioned how the Opposition can have the “courage” to pontificate about the new law when it failed to implement such a law during its time in government.

The Opposition does not want the Electoral Commission to scrutinise party finances, he said, when the same Commission is trusted with running the country’s elections.

Maternity leave fund

On the launch of the new maternity leave fund, Dr Muscat said the fund will serve to eliminate discrimination by employers when it comes to hiring women of child-bearing age.

Historically choosing a male over a female as cheaper for businesses, but the fund will see the “burden” share among all employers.

“We wanted to remove this disadvantage, want people to be employed on their merits and reduce discrimination,” he said.

Businesses will contribute the equivalent of 0.3 per cent of every worker’s pay, with the Prime Minister describing the added cost as “immaterial.”

“This is what feminism means, that is what equality means,” the Prime Minister said, pointing out that women have been “liberated” thanks to the government’s free childcare programme.

Unemployment rate down once again

Dr Muscat welcomed the latest reduction in unemployment, saying it is no coincidence and is the fruit of decisions taken by the government.

He said the government is pro-business and is actively helping employers.

There is still more that needs to be done, the Prime Minsiter cautioned, particularly when it comes to eliminating precarious work contracts.

The government is working towards this, and when new contracts for work outsourced by the government are drawn up, new wage rates are being introduced.

He said the government cannot be scared to take decisions, and will continue to do so.

Preparations for the next budget are under way, with Dr Muscat pledging that the government will continue to strengthen the economy and encourage more people to join the world of work.

PM shocked by ‘incomprehensible’ attacks against Mcast

The Prime Minister expressed his shock at the “incomprehensible” attack against Mcast by the Opposition.

Dr Muscat said Mcast students are no lesser beings than other students, and admonished Opposition leader Simon Busuttil and MP George Pullicino for raising doubts about the abilities of Mcast staff and teachers.

He said the government is working to expand pluralism in the tertiary education sector, and is giving the University of Malta more funds than ever before.

“My message to Mcast students is to ignore these attacks and persist with their studies,” Dr Muscat said.