During the last nine years, Labour has delivered when it comes to economic growth. From a situation wherein families used to struggle to get to the end of the month, we are now experiencing a scenario where eating out as a family or with friends has become more frequent.
From a situation whereby in the 1960s and 1970s the Maltese were emigrating to Australia, the USA and Canada to find jobs, we now have people from all over the world coming here to work. These range from high-income individuals, some of whom enjoy spending time in our sunny islands while working remotely, to blue-collar workers in various sectors.
However, this economic change, notwithstanding global inflationary pressures brought about by the pandemic, has also resulted in a change in priorities. In fact, while nine years ago, it was economic growth and more jobs that were on top of the agenda, I believe that many are now seeking a stronger environmental focus and prioritising a better quality of life.
Rather than simply economic development, we need to start focusing more on sustainable development – development that takes note of the environment, along with the economic and social aspect.
Just a few days ago, the Qortin landfill rehabilitation project in Gozo has been completed and yet another area has been returned to the general public as a green space.
Also, in line with this drive, Prime Minister Robert Abela announced that one of the Labour Party’s key pledges will be allocating €700m towards the creation of green, open and public spaces throughout Malta and Gozo - . St Anne’s Street in Floriana will even be turned into a garden, while the milk factory in Ħamrun will also be converted into the town’s Central Park. These among other new green zones in additional urban areas such as Birkirkara and Victoria.
These manifesto proposals ensue several green proposals in the last budget; government announced free public transport for all as from October of this year as well as the added investment into electric cars, among other initiatives.
Naturally, it goes without saying that while it is essential to further push forth with ambitious green proposals and targets, the economic and social well-being of workers and businesses must be maintained and enhanced. To this end, we need to continue strengthening the skilling and upskilling of our population, thus making our citizens more employable. Another proposal that was just announced by Robert Abela was the €500 grant per year for 3 years for parents of students who continue studying after they pass the age of sixteen, a measure that will mean that these parents will get a total of €1500. Furthermore, all secondary school students will also get a free laptop, meaning that they too will be able to familiarize themselves with technology from a very young age.
These proposals are exactly in tune with what I emphasized in two different conferences in Marseille and Barcelona last week, where I stated that we need to equip European populations with digital skills and infrastructure in order to bridge the digital divide. In my view, such bridging is invaluable when it comes to helping people improve their social standing.
The re-distribution of wealth generated, from the bottom up and making sure that those who most need aid are helped up the social ladder, should also be at the centre of the way forward. After all, it was Nelson Mandela who stated that “a nation should not be judged by how it treats its highest citizens, but it’s lowest ones”.
If the pandemic has taught us anything, it is definitely that Labour has its heart where it should be in this regard.
Dr Josiane Cutajar is a member of the European Parliament