Seven workshops, six in Malta and one in Gozo were held yesterday as part of the Nationalist Party’s general council that will be brought to an end today by party leader Lawrence Gonzi.

The general conclusion of yesterday’s workshops can be summed up: the party intends to listen to the people as it draws up its plan for the coming years.

Visiting the workshop about work and employment Dr Gonzi said his government would seek to attract more opportunities for work such as it did with Smart City.

The government equally wants to invest the EUR855 million it will be getting from the EU in projects that create work and enhance the skills of the Maltese people.

As regards education, Dr Gonzi said that while strengthening the educational effort, special care must be given to those who choose not to continue studying.

The workshop on pensions maintained that the reform aims to eliminate unjust anomalies but also to ensure that today’s young people have sustainable pensions.

When visiting the workshop on the family, Dr Gonzi said his government would continue to keep the family at the centre of its policies. Regarding the workshop on health, Dr Gonzi committed his government to offer health services of the highest grade.

Visiting the environment workshop, Dr Gonzi announced the government would soon publish regulations to ensure that contractors do their work without creating undue disturbance to neighbours.