While addressing a press

conference entitled Work, Work,Work Dr Sant spoke out about what his party believes should be the main concerns regarding the job market.

Dr Sant listed 14 factories and companies that had fired people during the first six months of the year. Government statistics show that 983 people were dismissed between April and January. This figure is 34 per cent more than those handed out last year, he said.

The opposition leader also said that the staff complement of the Public Broadcasting Service will be reduced by 119 workers through early retirement plans.

The Malta Labour Party leader presented a study made by the party based on the government labour force surveys for the

period between March 2001 and December 2003.

Dr Sant said that the results brought about by this study were alarming. The rate of employment in Malta is the second lowest in the EU, he said. Some 4,400 jobs were lost in the manufacturing sector in the last three years while there were an additional 270 jobs lost in tourism.

Not enough full-time jobs are being created, Dr Sant said. This results in a stagnant economy.

The MLP leader said that provocative statements, like that made by Information Technology and Investment Minister Austin Gatt about him being ready to close the dockyards, were useless. Dr Sant said the government has absolutely no intention of carrying this out and Dr Gatt only made that comment to breed uncertainty among the workers.

The raises in the Gozo Channel tariffs have been introduced at a time when the Gozitan manufacture and tourism sectors are in a deep recession, explained the opposition leader. Through this, the government showed a lack of sensitivity to the problems Gozo faces.

Dr Sant mentioned the report which claimed that by 2008, 12,000 government workers will be dismissed. He said that by the way government officials have been speaking, it is clear that the government supports this report.

The level of uncertainty is raised when ministers begin to influence how investment is attracted and give out contracts to their relatives. It is up to Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi to shoulder the responsibility that scandals like the one Minster John Dalli has found himself in recently do not happen, Dr Sant said.

Dr Sant alleged that Mr Dalli took control of the Iranian delegation with the excuse that this was a ministerial one. This was not true, according to the opposition leader.

The MLP leader claimed the minister admitted going to the airport to meet the Iranian delegation. In fact the Iranians cancelled their meal arrangements with SMS, the company they had to deal with, to attend a meal with Mr Dalli and his family, Dr Sant alleged.

The opposition leader noted that the case raises even more suspicions when the contract was awarded to a company which Mr Dalli’s family was deeply involved with. These allegations disturb loyalties and cause unrest, Dr Sant continued.

The MLP puts job creation at the top of its list of priorities, said the opposition leader. There is need for a plan to regenerate the economy, create investment incentives, reduce bureaucracy, promote tourism and support the island’s industry and farmers, said Dr Sant.

He concluded by saying that MLP candidates elected as MEPs will work toward attracting investment and creating job opportunities.