Addressing a press conference at the National Labour Centre in Hamrun, party leader Alfred Sant said the electoral manifesto containing over eight chapters took into consideration the decision taken by the party’s general conference of the past year.
Labour’s electoral manifesto also took into consideration the electoral manifesto of the Party of European Socialists, which was published in Malta yesterday week, Dr Sant said.
The electoral manifesto reiterates that now that the people have decided in favour of EU accession, the biggest challenge facing the MLP was to ensure that its main aims are safeguarded and developed.
Labour will work relentlessly in the European Parliament for the benefit of all Maltese and Gozitans to seize the advantages and alleviate the disadvantages of EU membership.
Labour will also see that the benefits of EU membership are shared equally while the disadvantages are borne by those who can sustain them.
It will make sure that the negative aspects of the accession package are neutralised as much as possible and that the agreement with the EU does not harm the Maltese and Gozitan people, especially workers.
This is a reflection of the motion agreed on by the Labour general conference last November following the debate raised by former leader Karmenu Mifsud Bonnici.
The chapter on jobs calls for, among other things, the promotion of economic growth and job creation, as well as added public and private investment for education and training, life-long learning, research, the environment, IT, telecoms, energy and transport.
Labour is insisting as well on the maintenance of the welfare state, fully accessible health care and initiatives in favour of the ever-increasing elderly population and the maintenance of State pensions that are universal and sustainable, and at the same time support serious supplemental pension schemes.
Dr Sant said Labour would provide a future for all sectors of the Maltese economy, including the manufacturing industries, financial services, tourism and the shipyards.
The electoral manifesto states that the country should have an identity which is “Maltese, European, Mediterranean”.
Labour will continue defending the principle of neutrality as enshrined in the Constitution and will work closely with the other parties in the PES group which are neutral States – Austria, Ireland, Finland and Sweden.
In this context, Labour cannot agree with a federal Europe but insists on a Europe of nations where Malta could keep its veto on matters such as taxation and defence, Dr Sant said.
In the EU structures, Labour will work to contribute towards reforms to make the EU more flexible and less hegemonic. It will also work to strengthen the EU’s Mediterranean dimension.
As for the environment, Labour is pledging a reduction in pollution, better waste management, strict regulations on fish farms, and more open spaces and heritage areas accessible to the public.
The party will do its utmost to tap EU funds for Malta in this respect, Dr Sant said.
The manifesto is calling as well for a fight against all kinds of discrimination based on sex, race or ethnicity, religion or belief, disability, age and sexual orientation.
Labour will also do its utmost so that Gozo is really treated as a region by the EU, as well as ensure jobs in Gozo for Gozitans, subsidised transport between Malta and Gozo for Gozitans, and the promotion of industry and tourism in Gozo.
Through its representatives in the EP, Labour will be vigilant to safeguard the interests of all Maltese and Gozitans, Dr Sant said.
“Where there are proposals that go against this interest, we will discuss them and insist that they are changed, like other democratic socialist parties in EU member States do,” he declared.
Dr Sant appealed for a vote for the eight candidates that the party will be fielding for the EP elections – “the best team”.
Asked about Labour’s position on the reference to Christianity in the EU Constitution, Dr Sant said the party was not involved in the negotiations on the matter. “It is government which must play ball,” he said.