The average family does not have a long wish list. It wants a decent life for itself and the parents want a better life for their children, better than the one they had. Therefore, the parents work and save to make their life better. In the traditional family, only the father works, while in more modern families both parents are likely to work. Through work they can develop their lifestyle, which may include a comfortable house, a car, a holiday abroad, eating out, and many others things. The standard of living therefore depends on the type of job that one or both parents have, how much they earn and how much they spend. However, in all this analysis, the main element is a job, unless of course one has been lucky enough to inherit or win money.
It is therefore with much pride that I look back at the past four years and realize that one of the promises we made as an administration was to reduce unemployment and to create more jobs, not only for those who were registering for a job. It was also suggested to those who were inactive to enter the labour market and improve their standard of living, as well as contributing to the economy.
The latest data for employment published last week shows that in September 2016 there were 10,559 persons working full-time compared to 10,192 in September 2015. This shows an increase of 3.6 per cent in 12 months. In terms of part-time jobs, there was a higher increase of 5.4 per cent over a period of one year. There were 704 jobs created from September 2015 to September 2016, comprising of 477 full-time jobs, 144 part-time jobs for persons who already had a full-time job and 83 part-time jobs as a primary job. Furthermore, the registered unemployed continued to go down in January 2017 to 522 from 688 a year earlier. These figures indicate an economy that continues to grow and create jobs, which in turn brings about a better standard of living.
But jobs are only part of the story of how one can improve one’s standard of living. While we cherish these positive figures, we continue to work on several projects which may not all be for the short-term. I firmly believe that a number of long-term projects we are currently working on will bring a better environment and opportunities for Gozitans and anyone who wants to live and work in Gozo.
Last year’s figures for Gozo Channel show that almost 1.5 million passengers utilized the service, indicating an 8.2 per cent increase on the previous year. This shows that Gozo continues to be attractive and the activities we organize year-round lead to different tourists visiting us. These need accommodation, restaurants and forms of entertainment.
But perhaps the satisfaction of my term as Minister for Gozo will be the completion of work on the Cittadella, the absorption of EU funds and the applications we have submitted for new projects under the 2014-2010 multi-framework programmes. At this stage, these include the Gozo Museum, the rehabilitation of the ex-MDP site, the new desalination plant and the restoration of the windmill in Xewkija. We are looking at about €27 million which will be invested in Gozo, and this is only one year after the EU funding came into place. We have other applications which are being evaluated and we will discuss when and if we are successful in these. But national funds are also being used for other projects, including the second fibre optic cable, the old people’s home in Għajnsielem, the new law courts, the new buoy in Xlendi for cruise liners, the wide stairs for St Francis Square and the general upkeep of the island.
Furthermore, we continue to resurface roads in the hope that what was ignored in previous years will again become decent roads. Then there are projects where we envisage a public private partnership, such as the Gozo pool project, the improvement of health services and the medical school project. Other projects will be concluded soon such as the fast ferry, while seismological studies are underway in connection with the tunnel project for the tunnel proposals. Best of all we have encouraged the right economic environment to attract private investment which is not Gozitan, something which shows a trend swinging the other way. Looking at all we have achieved in just four years, I think we should be proud that we have done so much in so little time.
Unfortunately, last week we lost one of our most symbolic and iconic treasures, the Dwejra Azure Window. We invested in experts’ advice from international organizations and different countries – UNESCO, UK and Italy – but unfortunately, nature has its own rhythm and mastery over its destiny. We wish there was something that could have been done – something that would have prolonged the life of this natural beauty. But as I said only last week, it is an amputation we must live with. If one looks at photos of the last 100 years, one realizes that the damage was a rapid one and it was being literally eroded daily, until the stack could no longer cope with the massive burden it had to carry. It is a very sad situation. But we must move on bearing one crucial thing in mind. We do have other beautiful places that we must constantly cherish and nurture.
Dr Refalo is Minister for Gozo