Fond of reading memoirs, mostly of those who have worked indefatigably against all odds, George Szell - A Life of Music is the latest addition to my collection of biographies. This will soon be followed by another book about the recollections of former Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi and Malta’s break with Gaddafi. Only an astute, resolute Premier can today look back and serenely give a detailed account of the moments which led Malta to break with Gaddafi.  Hopefully, this book will help us understand better the implications of those decisions and presumably the living dramas of those moments which guided and convinced Dr. Gonzi to give the green light to his subordinates to break with Gaddafi. 

Back to George Szell.

George Szell, a Hungarian born American conductor and composer, widely considered as one of the twentieth century's greatest conductors, synonymous with the Cleveland Orchestra once said that “Conductors must give unmistakable and suggestive signals to the orchestra, not choreography to the audience”.  This quote I liked the moment I read. This quote fits neatly and amplifies my line of thought in this article. 

The recent press release published by the National Statistics Office once again reported an increase in unemployment. In October unemployment continued to rise and has now reached 7,594. When compared to the same month of the previous year these figures show an increase of another 581 workers or 8.3 %. 

The data available is a head count of unemployed persons and provided to the National Statistics Office by the Employment and Training Corporation (ETC). These figures indicate a year-on-year increase of 751 persons (11.9 %) registering under Part 1 and a drop of 170 persons (24.8 %) registering under Part 2 of the unemployment register. 

Breaking down these figures between Malta and Gozo unemployment in Malta has reached 6,845, while that in Gozo went up to 749. While registrants aged 45 and over went up by 9.9 % to 3,113 when compared to 2012 levels.

On a positive note a slight downward shift was recorded in registrants with a disability, totalling 505 during the month under review, of which 429 were males.

From this data it is clear, between May and October, both months included, higher unemployment rates were recorded when compared with the same six months of the previous year. These figures clearly show that during six consecutive months our economy has not performed as one would have hoped for.

I am fully aware that figures and numbers may distract if not annoy people from continuing reading this till the end. So I thought I will attach the list with names and addresses of those presently unemployed. Even, if to satisfy their curiosity some readers will go through the registered unemployed list and search for details of a relative or a friend.

Before I could go any further with my lists and almost simultaneously the Data Protection Commissioner came running to my mind.  Rightly so, he will drop like a ton of bricks within minutes from publication. Left with no room to manoeuvre I invite you to stop for a moment and try to identify a worker who during the last six months have lost his/her employment. Regretfully for our unemployed workers unfortunately, this should not put you in too much strain to find a new unemployed worker.  

As has been repeated on many occasions unemployment alters the quality of lives of people and their dependants. Unemployment hits irrespective of the political leanings of workers. Unemployment levels are not and should not be used as a political weapon by political parties against each other but instead should deal with the subject more sympathetically. This does not mean that the present administration should be allowed to sweep these issues under the carpet. On the contrary these issues should continue to be discussed at all levels not least at the Malta Council for Economic and Social Development presently chaired by a former trade unionist. I am sure that higher unemployment rates are one of the major concerns for the trade union movement and the MCESD Chairman.    

It would be a huge mistake for the present administration to take lightly and read dismissively the tightening of our economy and thus higher unemployment rates.  These issues are not politically motivated but on the ground realities for all to see and touch. It is for the present administration to grasp and embrace without further delay these issues and address them primarily by designing an employment strategy plan. In leading this project forward Government should ensure to rope as close as possible entrepreneurs, trade unions and civil society.     

The introduction of more measures to further improve our flexible labour market is to be commended as they are necessary but a clear employment strategy remains a must. Employment targets should be set while local and foreign entrepreneurs should be encouraged to continue to invest or further invest creating new employment opportunities. At this stage it would be opportune for the present administration to identify new sectors which are suitable for our economy to expand and provide new employment opportunities while sustaining and encouraging those attracted during the past fifteen/twenty years to our shores.      

Hopefully, you can take some more figures.  It was recorded that Malta’s imports and exports fell by 17% and 20% respectively during the first eight months of this year when compared with the corresponding period last year.  The decrease in overall consumption will have a negative effect on manufacturing companies.

I promise this is the last figure I will refer to in this article. Inflation in Malta fell drastically from 1.8% in March 2013 to a record low 0.5% in November 2013. On one hand one may argue that consumers may have a better deal but on the other wholesalers, retailers and manufacturers will find it difficult to recover their production costs leading to discharge workers from employment.        

The many figures thrown at us from various reliably National Offices denotes that our economy is not doing well at all. The higher number of unemployed persons is an indicator of the poor performance of our economy.  While water and electricity tariffs will be reduced from next March as promised by an average of 5% and 25% respectively, higher unemployment levels will push people faster into the poverty stream.  

The present administration should heed conductor George Szell advice.  “Conductors must give unmistakable and suggestive signals to the orchestra, not choreography to the audience” Labour must start working and give unmistakable and suggestive signals.       

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