Faced with a future of increased global competition, an ageing society, continuous technological development and environmental challenges, the European Union is reinforcing its policies to increase individuals’ adaptability, promote enterprise in areas affected by economic change and to assist regions in anticipating restructuring. With a wide range of EU measures to limit the negative social consequences to workers, the European Union is surely responding to economic change within the sector that hits home … the employment sector.
Indeed, the combination of Worker’s Day and Malta’s fifth anniversary of European Union membership falls in line with our country’s agenda at present. With the prevailing international economic crisis and ensuing recession, our primary commitment should be that of safeguarding and creating jobs. The fifth anniversary reflects strong commitments, which reaped fruitful results. Malta has achieved so much in such a short period of time; the adoption of the Euro, entry into the Schengen Zone, greater opportunities for Maltese students, business and enterprise and above all, a direct flow of European Union funds, through which Malta was encouraged in realising long-term projects and in promoting innovation and research.
Despite all the benefits, on this anniversary the government has renewed its vows in protecting and safeguarding jobs whilst creating further and better job opportunities. During a conference about employment commemorating Worker’s Day, Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi has responsibly upheld that job creation ranks as the Government’s highest priority. Indeed, our five years of full membership within the European Union have already presented further international investment on our shores. Such investments include Lufthansa Technik, SmartCity, a number of pharmaceutical companies and the ever-thriving financial services sector. Malta is also battling against the international economic recession and its perseverance is undoubtedly solidified thanks to our entry into the Eurozone, which has rendered Malta competitive with other member states throughout this difficult phase.
The national effort within the job sector is matching that which is carried out on a European level through our work within the EPP. The European Employment Strategy has been developed in order to encourage exchange of information and joint discussions by all Member States, thus trying to find solutions or best practices together which could help creating more and better jobs in every member state.
Adapting to change and ensuring the correct matching between labour market and supply is crucial if EU countries want to remain productive and competitive. The rapid change implies that EU countries have to become pro-active and be able to anticipate in order to be better prepared for future challenges.
I am also able to witness first hand the demand and support provided by the European Globalisation Adjustment Fund, of which I am a spokesperson. The European Globalisation Adjustment Fund (EGF) exists to support workers who lose their jobs as a result of changing global trade patterns so that they can find another job as quickly as possible. A maximum amount of e500 million per year is available to the European Globalisation Fund to finance such interventions.
The EGF can fund active labour market measures focused entirely on helping the workers made redundant as a result of globalisation, through job-search assistance, occupational guidance, tailor-made training and re-training including IT skills and certification of acquired experience, outplacement assistance and entrepreneurship promotion or aid for self-employment, mobility allowances and initiative with special reference to lifelong learning and training activities.
The above is just a preview of PN’s proven track record of job protection and creation with the sole target of retaining Malta’s competitiveness. This is evident not only on the local surface but also at a higher level, through collective efforts and collaboration, through European Union programmes through which Malta may only benefit.
For the European People’s Party, the creation of new jobs is a core priority. Only if we manage to reach a high level of employment will we be able to safeguard prosperity for everyone and assure the future of our social security systems in the context of demographic change. The top requirement is investment in human capital in order to establish a well-trained and highly motivated work force.
David Casa is a Nationalist MEP
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www.davidcasa.eu