I was recently handed a copy of a report drawn by the Labour Youth forum in reaction to the draft presented by the government on youth policies. The report is refreshingly unbiased and is peppered not only with support for some of the government’s own initiatives but also proposals to which most would find no objections or have qualms. Obviously it is rather impossible to summarise the whole report on the press considering lack of space but I thought I’d share the Forum’s views on three particular areas: education, jobs and entertainment.

First mentioned is education: the key towards progress and individual success, where the forum reiterates its belief that education should be free and accessible to all, while also encouraging the strengthening of the grants system. I can see very little opposition to the above arguments, but a point that might raise a couple of eyebrows among those who treat different people with different religions and different skin colour with disdain is the one that proposes a vigorous inter-cultural education at schools which prepares and teaches students to face and deal with different cultures, religion, backgrounds and skin colours. Such a point reinforces the socialist and social belief that suspicion breeds contempt, which in turn breeds a divisive society embroiled in turmoil, hatred and lack of true solidarity. Illiteracy is also dealt with when the report proposes a clearly set out strategy for all the stakeholders to fight this unfortunate scourge and promote reading as a tool that broadens the mind.

Forum Zaghzagh Laburisti (FZL) also dealt with the job market in its report, with the first main focus being university courses and the lack of balance between practice and theory, which unfortunately is leaving students partly unprepared to face the world of work. The forum also notes with dismay that less and less young people are joining a union leading to a huge dearth of information and knowledge regarding their rights and responsibilities. Therefore the report proposes a widespread information campaign targeted at the self-employed, part-timers and those on short-term contracts, who in some cases have no leave, sick leave or any other benefits. Another point I found to be rather innovative on pg.7 of the same report i.e. that the government should offer tax credits to younger people wanting to open a business in order to facilitate their ability to compete in Malta’s restrictive and yet very competitive market. The FZL also repeats the often proposed/promised idea of “imposing” a temporary moratorium on mortgages for those who lose their jobs while paying for their property.

The third aspect that caught my eye is the chapter on entertainment.

Apart from the obvious I also find myself in agreement with tougher penalties for drunk drivers and better public transport services at night from main entertainment spots like Paceville and Bugibba. I particularly agree with the report’s proposal for the updating of the laws regarding opening hours after a blanket curfew was imposed a few weeks after the election with absolutely no consultation whatsoever, causing huge losses for businesses and leading to the proliferation of “private” parties with all the huge inconveniences these cause. Although such a proposal won’t earn the Youth Forum too many brownie points from Paceville residents, I’m sure a balance could be found if the laws are strictly adhered to.

FZL’s reaction discusses and proposes other solutions in some other youth-related fields in its report, most especially housing (which is unfortunately completely missing in the government’s report) and also health, justice, arts, environment and sports.

Finally, I would like to applaud the FZL for taking a more central role in discussing issues that are real, issues that young people talk about and face in their day-to-day experiences. I would also like to recommend to those who have youth issues at heart to take a good look at this report/reaction on www.fzl.org.mt

Albert Gauci Cunningham

BUGIBBA