In order to pursue greater equality and tackle social justice issues, we need a strong economy. Labour’s basic tenet and motivator has always been and always will be social justice. The very foundations of social services and national solidarity were pioneered by Labour governments over the years. Subsequent administrations could only follow our original initiative.

Notwithstanding the intentionally orchestrated hype on other issues, no amount of partisan slogans can deny the strong economy the country has built during the first three years of Dr Muscat’s first term in office. It was clear from the outset that building a fair society and sustaining an effective social welfare system can rest only on the foundation of a healthy economy. The 2013 government, under the strong leadership of Dr Muscat, knew well that only a strong economy can create higher asset values.

Three years on, in real terms

Three years on, successful results unfailingly keep coming in, whether declared by international credit ratings or by national measure. This week’s latest showing comes in the wake of a desperate partisan effort to create a perception of uncertainty or political unrest, meant only to destabilise the country’s economic strengths. Gross Domestic Product – what the country can produce in economic terms – rose by 6.3 per cent last year, making the economy one of the best performers in the EU. In 2015, GDP amounted to €8,796.5 million, an increase of 8.8 per cent compared to 2014.

Needless to say, statistical figures are supported by what the nation is producing and gaining in real terms in different sectors. It is encouraging to note, for example, that the number of bed nights spent on Gozo by foreign tourists exceeded one million last year. Quoting official figures from the Gozo Tourism Association, the number of foreign tourist arrivals reached 166,106, an eight per cent increase on 2014. The number of nights spent – which is the real measure in the hospitality industry – in all types of Gozitan accommodation reached 1,004,885 – an increase of 14 per cent on 2014.

Fostering effective solutions

From my own perspective in the elderly and disability sectors, I can confirm that the state of the economy has a direct influence on the government’s willingness to support its social obligations and systems. A healthier economy has facilitated the enhancement and upgrading of services, including more all-inclusive initiatives. It also strengthens my desire to fulfil my duties with a clear commitment that the social support and protection cluster is to be based on treating people with dignity and respect. Our final goal is to implement a social policy by which our programmes and initiatives cannot be effective if they do not reach those who really deserve support.

In my first two years as Parliamentary Secretary for the Rights of People with Disabilities and Active Ageing, I have aimed to foster creative solutions to more immediate common problems in both sectors. I have been working closely with both the public and private sectors, with church and community leaders in voluntary organisations and with experts and other citizens to build networks and structures to promote healthier, unified and sustainable services. I have also emphasised that whatever we provide must be of the highest quality the country can support.

Inclusivity and equality

Having all stakeholders on board is a guarantee that whatever my Parliamentary Secretariat plans is tailor-made for the sectors of our society that the whole nation is expected to support. By working together, we have managed to be an innovative force in the struggle to curb both social and economic marginalisation and, in many cases, reverse the cycle of social exclusion. No one can deny that our untiring efforts have become more decisive in determining the healthy lifestyles and well-being of vulnerable people and their families. If it were ever possible, we would strive to erase the very word ‘vulnerable’ from the Maltese and Gozitan vocabulary and substitute it with “equality and equity for all”.

Here again, we worked hard to ensure that Malta’s fast growing economy is directly reflected in what persons with disabilities and the elderly deserve.  I refrain from ever thinking of “what they need”, since I strongly believe that people have rights – whatever their abilities or disabilities.  This is precisely what drove us to establish national standards and emanate specific laws to ensure for them protection and dignity. 

Projects to prove our aims

In my frequent visits to the St Vincent de Paule long-term care complex and to homes for the elderly and learning centres, I am frequently given positive feedback on our hard work. Needless to say, such compliments further encourage me to work harder and avoid being complacent with what has already been accomplished. By nature, I tend to appreciate even more and enjoy listening to the constructive criticism and suggestions that those involved come forward with.

As a matter of fact, I cherish the fact that both staff and clients feel comfortable enough to talk to me about the problems they face in their daily routine, which prompts me and management to find practical solutions. This is the kind of exercise I truly enjoy: rendering the logistics of physical projects into an effective and efficient service. Frequently, such personal encounters – ‘on the ground’ and away from the official and scientific statistics that confirm our achievements – fill me with increased zeal to translate, in clearer and more tangible ways, our endeavours towards a fair society. 

Over and above what is stated publicly or reported by the media, these are the real and valuable instances when I feel comfortably proud of my role within a government that – through its collective effort and teamwork – has built a strong economy for the benefit of the people themselves. This is precisely where national economic success meets the people – all the people. 

The national belief – a fair society

Irrespective of the hundreds of millions of euros spent, and over and above facts and figures – however important and essential they are, the very essence of what we have achieved in our first three years in government is in the way people have witnessed personal and collective improvements in their life. Some think that being in government basically means being in power, and they may very well be obsessed with it. It goes so far as leading them to blindly counter the evident successes at every level with hate campaigns and attempts at character assassination. Shooting the messenger in order to destroy the message is an attempt that has failed miserably in the world’s political history. 

Any attempt at denting the country’s economic strength is obscene and a prescribed failure to whoever advocates it, however eloquent he may sound – for some time to some people. We believe in an intelligent nation, with its feet on the ground, and cherish the basic concept of being an inclusive society, whatever our abilities or disabilities. This, in real terms, is where our commitment to a fair society is effectively hitting its target! And, as our Prime Minister repeatedly says, the best is yet to come – and it surely will.