Squashed between the sweet and bitter football results of Euro 2012, and the coming Olympic Games, a healthy and animated programme dominated the local scene of politics in this first part of a long hot summer
Events that have taken place will go down in the history of Malta. Notwithstanding these events, I feel one should mention the good tidings that emanate from local statistics – the low unemployment rate, the high gainfully employed record and tourist arrivals.
Unemployment in Malta is at a relative low level, although the Nationalist government remains focused on the bigger picture of creating jobs, keeping also an eye on the strict financial measures. These are the same measures that have helped us in no small way to defend ourselves in this recession period.
The unemployed are expected to do their share, and must have the mentality of flexibility to enable them to adapt to new jobs and skills, even if it means learning new skills and situations at a not so young age. It is important that they do, as there are competitor job seekers from within the free movement area of Europe who are flexible enough and are ready to accept the needs of the employer.
On the other hand, the government is doing very well in creating new job opportunities without resorting to increasing employment in government departments. Possibly there are areas where government needs to employ staff, but it has resisted the very good temptation of employing people before an election. That’s what I call responsibility. Do you remember former Labour Prime Minister Karmenu Mifsud Bonnici employing those thousands of people before the 1987 election he eventually lost? Well, the cost over the past 25 years has run into hundreds of millions of euros.
That cost has still its scars on today’s economy.
Inflation is kept at its minimal possible, and with an announcement of cheaper fuel prices, this could be the start of a bit of a slide in these costs. Again, this is very volatile and things can change very quickly.
The tourism sector is doing well, and therefore the economy should grow a bit more albeit in small single figures; nonetheless, growth it is. How many prime ministers can boast of a projected growth in 2012? Not many probably do in Europe.
To have such a result in the first half of the year is a great achievement for our prime minister. He has had a rough four years all round, and his focus on a national level has made him take his eyes off party matters. Contrary to Labour criticsm, I believe that the Prime Minister is ultra focused on the national matters, and the electorate knows this. Of course, criticism is both cheap and free of charge.
Labour is back to the future with its legal opposition to people eligible to vote, and who were maybe noticed by the Labour street leader as being abroad. Petty politics at its best, and another baggage to be carried by Labour when facing elections.
Rather than be happy that the highest number of Maltese can cast their vote, we get this reaction that by coincidence does not get a mention on One News.
And as mentioned in other media, the scenes in Parliament from the Opposition benches, while Dr Lawrence Gonzi was concluding his speech, were unbelievable. They were nasty, rude and uneducated remarks. I am probably being polite here, and it is a pity nobody recorded these moments of shame on a mobile phone.
Well, festa season is here too. I wish a good village feast to all readers and a happy summer.
Robert Arrigo is Parliamentary
Assistant in the Finance Ministry