The Nationalist Party once again said the government is not creating enough jobs to meet demand.
Addressing a press conference outside Safi’s Aviation Park today, PN deputy leader Mario de Marco said the Opposition is ready to give its support to the government if it embarks on a job creation strategy – “which is urgently needed”.
Dr de Marco did welcome the fact that jobs were being created but took umbrage over the pace jobs were in actual fact being created, adding that one-third of the jobs created by the government have been in the public service.
NSO statistics published today show that unemployment is on the rise again, jumping by another 300 to more than 7,600. Unemployment has nearly reached 7% of the workforce, Dr de Marco said.
He suggested the government offers further tax incentives to foreign companies in sectors such as digital gaming, to attract foreign investors to Malta, in the same way TRC Family Entertainment had opened shop here.
TRC creates new ways for children to connect, play and share with family and friends in the digital world.
Dr de Marco insisted that the government should also start looking at new niches to further create jobs “in the same way past PN governments did”.
He also suggested the government invests more seed capital in start-up companies.
Asked on a separate issue, related to the Ta’ Hagrat development permit, Dr de Marco welcomed the fact that a conservation order may be presented, adding that the motion presented by the PN had called for the developers to be compensated but the property in question bought off by the government so that the area in question, which hosts a Unesco World Heritage site, will never be jeopardised due to development nearby.
Questioned whether he welcomed the fact that British Airways had started operations to and from Malta once again, after it had stalled operations in Malta, Dr De Marco replied in the affirmative, saying it’s a positive move.
British Airways had embarked on operations to and from Malta in 1947 but interrupted its operations twice.