Nationalist government on the move –a vision for 2015

The celebration by the Nationalist Party took the shape of a conference with the topic More Work, Better Work. The studied contribution by 11 or so speakers was good. In fact some were excellent. Each contributor gave a short talk regarding their experiences at work and his/her vision for a healthy economic future for Malta, focusing on the benefits and success attainable if the country manages to have a well trained and prepared labour force. The speakers, from various setups across the board, not only spoke of the development and diversity of the economic enterprise on the island but also spelt out, in short, clear and clinical sentences, what needs to be done to have a workforce that excels in competence. The Maltese workers’ performance must be one of the pillars of our future economic development, together with the injection of innovative ideas, projects and avenues being followed in the private, public-private and public sectors.

In the final analysis, the common denominator can be summarised in one sentence – Success is guaranteed by excellence in performance when taking up challenges. Yes, the country needs to excel in its performance in all the fields it chooses to operate in. These include the world of financial services, manufacture, tourism, ICT and other enterprises that all need a well-prepared and informed workforce in order to compete successfully in today’s ever increasing competitive scenario. Each sector requires a make-over, an upgrading of its processes and systems together with hours of positive input in order to keep the country among the very best.

As the final speaker left the podium, the scene was set for our Prime Minister to present his vision for the future. Dr Gonzi disclosed to those present his vision for Malta in eight years’ time. One may say that 2015 is a long way off but in reality the days and weeks are ticking away and very soon this date will be on our doorstep.

The Prime Minister, in well-chosen words, explained that the Maltese economy will be a success story if the country manages to excel in six different fields:

• Education – lifelong learning and wider curricula,

• Health Services – including the offering of specialised treatment to various ailments,

• Tourism – in its different forms especially in the restoration of our cultural and historical sites,

• Financial services – in all their different facets which have varied and mushroomed during the last 15 years or so,

• ICT – Technology which is developing and expanding by the day if not by the hour, and

• Manufacture – particularly in those areas where there is a high level of value added operations.

All these areas have to be addressed in their specific manner and regime of operation. Each one has to be handled on an individual, sui generis basis. The country has already laid the foundations for this scenario but now there are specifics, which have to be developed to meet the ever changing realities. We must also consider the competition which tends to grow and escalate. We have taken the plunge.

Having joined the EU in May 2004 means that we are called upon to work towards achieving the Lisbon goals. These demand that we form part and contribute to that economic region, the EU, which is seeking to become the most economically competitive union by 2010. To this end we are experiencing a financial injection in the form of EU funds from the 2004-2006 and 2007-2013 budgets.

These funds and technical know-how give us that window of opportunity to make the grade. With a vision which demands excellence we can obtain not only the technical and technological know-how but we can also gain the necessary experience in order to be able to operate on the same level playing-field with those who joined the EU years before us. These partners are already in a much more comfortable economic situation than ours, but we can and shall catch up.

The Prime Minister expressed his conviction that this is an attainable state of our economy, which in itself would mean more work for the population. This in turn would result in our workforce benefiting from better and more stable work, better wages and higher remuneration, which in turn would translate into a better standard of living for us and our children.

Labour Party celebrations go haywire

Labour went to the City. All seemed to be in order vis-à-vis the events envisaged. But then something happened, impromptu and unexpected – things went very wrong.

In order to try and gather support for their manifestations, to be able to show the thousands in attendance on the MLP media’s peak news bulletins, Labour thought of roping in and bringing over Italian singer Toto Cutugno for the event. He came. He Saw. He Sang. He was booed off.

Notwithstanding Dr Sant’s formal acceptance of the now established situation that Malta forms part of the European Union family for good, the vibes showered upon the faithful in the various Labour clubs, where he repeats that his vision for partnership should have been the way forward, seem to have had more effect on his followers. This was clearly demonstrated by the faithful during Mr Cutugno’s singing. His comment about Malta being grateful for becoming an EU member and that the country stands to gain from its membership in the EU was met by booing of a considerable magnitude. So much so that he had to retire from the stage only to return after what seems to have been the attainment of an uneasy peace. But then he was booed again. Obviously he thought it wise to retire from the scene. Exit Mr Cutugno, enter the demand for partnership! Should this have been the Labour visionary’s call on Workers’ day?

This is no time to let such events take centre stage. But these events must make us ponder and think about the reality of the situation the MLP is in. Such events demand an analysis of the ifs and buts that still plague the party in opposition. Can this country afford to have in government a party whose faithful diehards have been so embittered against the nation’s membership in the EU that what should have been a successful concert was turned into farce? Can the Labour Party be entrusted to govern when such ideas are still grinding away at the opportunity of having everyone accept the political decision that EU membership is here to stay?

The luxury of the choice and decision will be up to you soon enough – in the not too distant future!

Tony Abela is Parliamentary Secretary in the Office of the Prime Minister