Robert Abela’s government is the ‘fraudsters’ shield’ – Bernard Grech
Leader of the Nationalist Party Bernard Grech said that the PN is a party that will defend workers, unlike Prime Minister Robert Abela’s government, which, he said, defends those who are fraudulent.
Grech was speaking during a political event ahead of Labour Day at Ġnien l-Istazzjon, Birkirkara on Sunday.
The PN will be holding a protest on Monday to support the workers who “have been swindled by the current government.”
During his speech, Grech mentioned how PN Public Account Committee members Darren Carabott, David Agius and Graham Bencini, were “attacked for doing their duty” by formally requesting a police investigation into what allegedly was false testimony either by Former OPM Chief of Staff Keith Schembri, former finance minister Edward Scicluna and former deputy Police Commissioner Silvio Valletta, during separate PAC sittings.
“This week we saw, once again, an attack on a representative of the people because they are doing their job.”
Grech also mentioned how Jean Paul Sofia’s friend hung a banner up in front of parliament. However, Police Commissioner Angelo Gafa ordered his arrest, “to keep him quiet… This is the state of our country today.”
Grech said that in both of these situations there was an attempt to keep people quiet for carrying out their duty in seeking the truth.
Referring to the motions which the PN requested but were rejected in parliament, Grech said that they will continue talking in parliament, even if the government do not want to talk about it.
“The labour government tries to keep you quiet… no one is going to keep us quiet.”
When talking about the “fraudulent” hospitals’ concession agreement, Grech mentioned the book the PN recently published and said it reveals the full story of how Malta was robbed of millions.
Once again, he pointed out that although the judge declared the deal as fraudulent, “Abela continued defending Steward.”
With the celebration of Labour Day happening tomorrow, Grech said that there were a number of instances which showed that workers were suffering under the Labour government.
Grech mentioned how he met with Secretary General of the General Workers Union Josef Bugeja, who stressed that workers lack rights and their minds are not at ease.
He mentioned the high cost of living and criticised Abela for constantly saying he “cannot do anything about it.”
Grech added that “whilst Abela says he cannot do anything, national debt increases. It increased by almost double.”
He accused Abela and his government of “pigging out” and increasing debt instead of supporting workers.
When talking about construction, he said that the current construction taking place is “unrestrained and without a plan. For us, it is not acceptable that there is development without a plan.”
He also mentioned the application for the Gżira petrol station that was overruled in the Appeals court. Grech said that if it were not for the local council and the judge, “unrestrained” development would have taken place again.
Moving on to the health sector, Grech praised the work of health professionals and said that they deserve the “best standards.”
He scrutinised the conditions workers are subject to in the current work environment.
Grech mentioned how midwives and nurses are understaffed and overstressed, and although they have been asking for a better wage, they are yet to receive any benefits.
He said that people are having to shift to the private sector for operations because the waiting time is too long.
Lastly, he mentioned teachers and how they work under difficult conditions and still have not received a wage increase.
Police statement
In a statement, the police force said that the Commissioner did not send any officers to arrest the youth who hung up a banner, and denied the allegation. It said that it already replied to the media that there were residents who made reports about a suspicious person and the police went to verify the reports. The police said that no action was taken against the youth.