The businessmen explained that the time they used to waste wading through red tape can now be spent bettering their companies, continued Dr Gonzi. This shows that the people’s choice to join the EU was indeed a good one.

After visiting the Malta Enterprise offices, the prime minister said that the services offered have improved and more foreign investment is being attracted.

The Nationalist candidates running for the EP election accompanied Dr Gonzi. One of these, Simon Busuttil, said that our EU membership will help strengthen Malta’s economy, generate business and therefore create new jobs. Dr Busuttil also noted that, with membership, Malta has benefited from the best package of social rights.

The EU allows more than eight hours of overtime, as long as the worker is able and willing, he said. The European Socialist Party (PES), to which the Malta Labour Party belongs, has been working towards changing regulations and removing the right of workers to work as much overtime as they can, continued Dr Busuttil. On the other hand, the European People’s Party, that counts the PN as a member, promotes the workers’ right to work as much as they want. This, concluded the candidate, is the difference between the PN agenda and that of the MLP regarding the EP.