The Ministry of Education, Employment and the Family, as the national implementing body for the 2010 European Year for Combating Poverty and Social Exclusion, in collaboration with the Ministry for Gozo, held the fourth press breakfast at Prof. Guzé Aquilina Primary School Hall in Sannat.

The press briefing called for awareness on long-term unemployment and people with disabilities. The economic crisis of 2008 has affected businesses, families and individuals across the European Union, which is why the EU is tackling unemployment as a top priority. The rights of people with disability, at both national and EU level, is another aspect pinpointed by the EU in order to improve their lives.

The speakers included Gozo Minister Giovanna Debono, EY2010 Ambassador and project leader for the Employment Aid Programme at the ETC Raphael Scerri; EY2010 Ambassador and chairman of National Commission for Persons with Disability (KNPD) Joseph Camilleri and ETC Gozo branch manager Marcel Bonnici. Mary Rose Attard, Gozo Disability Coordinator, introduced and chaired the press briefing.

Addressing the participants from Malta and Gozo and the media, Minister Giovanna Debono said that employment is an ever-present socio-economic challenge created by the double insularity of Gozo. “Thus the case with disadvantaged people with regard to long-term unemployment gains added weight and it is therefore mandatory for it to be considered also from a regional perspective,” she said.

The Ministry for Gozo, said Mrs Debono, gives due priority to increasing the employability skills of the workforce on Gozo. Particular attention has been given in recent years to addressing the needs of those who are more disadvantaged, such as those who are less skilled, those who are in certain age groups and people with disability. Some of the first EU-funded projects undertaken in Gozo following Malta’s accession addressed literacy and numeracy, as well as ETC schemes that enabled unemployed people to set up their own business. Other initiatives included inclusive education within the educational system in order to promote an inclusive society while building on individual abilities.

“The eco-Gozo action plan for the coming years also focuses on creating more job opportunities at various levels,” she added.

In his presentation entitled Long-term unemployed in Malta and Gozo - Facts, Figures and Services, Raphael Scerri said that people experiencing long-term unemployment are at risk of poverty. “Long-term unemployment is devastating for the individual and his whole family suffers. Everybody should feel in solidarity with these individuals and help them to get back into the workforce. Unfortunately, a lot of people think that individuals do not find a job for capricious reasons, or that they are working illegally. But this is not true. Individuals sometimes find it difficult to find a job due to older age, lack of qualifications or skills or due to certain circumstances in life such as health reasons.”

Mr Scerri added: “The ETC organises selective seminars for the long-term unemployed and the illiterate, and free courses for those in need of training or retraining. It also provides financial assistance for employers through the Employment Aid Programme, which is co-financed by the EU, so that they can offer training or work to older people, the disabled and long-term unemployed clients – all part of the process of persuading society as a whole to recognise their value and combat age discrimination.

According to a recent Eurobarometer public opinion survey, 56 per cent of Maltese think that people who are unemployed are those most at risk of poverty, while 29 per cent think that those with a disability or a long-term sickness are most at risk.

In his presentation, Joseph Camilleri stressed that people with disabilities are particularly badly affected by unemployment, as employment plays a critical role in ensuring that people with disabilities are not constrained by poverty.

He said: “Progress has been made in the education sector for the disabled, and these days young people with disabilities are in a better position when it comes to finding a job. However, it is also important to realise that people with disabilities face numerous barriers –social, economic and especially attitudinal. In fact, we need to overcome such attitudinal barriers caused by society in particular when it comes to employment. Four task for the coming years is to overcome these attitudinal barriers and aim to give people with disabilities the same rights and opportunities for employment as any other citizen.”

Marcel Bonnici gave concrete examples of how the long-term unemployed in Gozo are being helped and tackled. Some success stories were identified and the individuals present shared their experiences.

The purpose of press breakfasts held in the context of the 2010 European Year for Combating Poverty and Social Exclusion is also to give individuals the chance to voice their concerns and aspirations to government representatives and NGOs.

The Year aims to raise awareness of poverty and social exclusion and the consequences. Within the EU, 84 million people – approximately 16 per cent of the population – live in or are at risk of poverty. The EU and its partners are working hard to reduce poverty and social exclusion, to the extent that the issue is now at the very top of the political agenda.