He said that instead of doing something about it, the government had published the national strategy for employment and made the ETC responsible for its implementation. Moreover, he said, the job centre in Gozo is not opening every day and the ETC was operating without occupational psychologists.

At the same time, the ETC spent Lm10,000 more than it budgeted for travel-related expenses – a figure which is expected to increase to Lm38,000 next year. In addition, he said, it was evident that the ETC was not purchasing its air tickets from Air Malta but from private travel agencies.

Dr Chircop said the country needed a serious plan such as the one the MLP had published regarding the country’s social and economic regeneration which is at present being discussed with all social partners.