According to figures released by the Employment and Training Corporation, the number of unemployed has risen to 8,400. Although there was a fall when compared to a month earlier, this amounted to some 850 more people registering for work compared with March 2003 – an alarming figure, said Dr Chircop.

What is even more worrying is that figures released by the National Office of Statistics indicate that there are 45,000 people in families where nobody is gainfully employed. These statistics, coupled with the uncertainty that exists, do not augur well for the future.

This uncertainty, which has created more pressure on families, is a result of increases in the number of separation cases, depression and drug abuse.

While the government is inviting the social partners to form a social pact, at the same time it is stubborn enough not to admit that there is a crisis. The government should, on the other hand, tackle the unemployment problem more seriously, Dr Chircop said.