A new Labour government will safeguard workers’ interests by endeavouring, even from the Opposition, to defend the economic and social progress that has been achieved and enjoyed by Maltese workers up to now and which is threatened by the Nationalist government’s lack of vision and a coherent plan for dealing with the financial and economic problems of the country. This is why Labour will be looking to repeat last month’s success in the European Parliament and local council elections, Dr Sant continued.

Speaking at a party activity in Rabat, Dr Sant said that this lack of vision by the Nationalist government was leading it to pass on the burden of its problems onto Maltese and Gozitan working families by proposing cuts in welfare provisions.

Dr Sant said that the MLP will insist that the reforms the country needed would not be made at the expense of social gains. If the improvement in education, health and pensions is not sustained, the country would not be able to compete with other countries in terms of the creation of more job opportunities. The country needed reforms for the economy to be more competitive. But this did not mean that we should accept an attack on the welfare state with the excuse that the welfare state hindered productivity and competitiveness.

Dr Sant said that the MLP will, therefore, insist on solidarity between all parties concerned to defend welfare provision in Malta.