Labour’s vision for future generations

decades. Our electoral proposals for a second Labour Government led by Dr Joseph Muscat stand to prove that our vision is for generations to come and not merely for a five-year term in office.

By any comparison, the strong economy and its translation into individual benefits for everyone to achieve a better quality of life is a reality that no one can dare deny, particularly so considering that it has been repeatedly praised by all the international rating agencies, the International Monitory Fund and Eurostat. The feel-good factor, and the positive and reliable scenario that has led to unprecedented both international and local multi-million investment, are the immediate effects of a hardworking Labour-led government in its first four years in office.

Families usually plan for today and tomorrow and that is precisely what the Labour government has done during its first years – coming forward with realistic and effective projections for those to come. Each new initiative has been costed and will be as effective as those we proposed four years ago, a very high percentage of which has been accomplished.

The elderly and disability sectors

With hand on heart, I feel at peace with myself for having implemented a large number of Labour’s promises for both the elderly and people with disability sectors. I am proud that, together with a hard-working team, I have managed my aim of quality rather than quantity. The valid legislative programme and the numerous services we have introduced, together with the long list of projects accomplished, are the real and tangible credentials. In all modesty, I believe that this Labour administration has been highly beneficial to thousands of people in both sectors and their families.

Equality and equity, human dignity and human rights, together with accessibility, solidarity and inclusivity are the main pillars that have constantly inspired and motivated all our work. Keen as I am on professional standards, I have strived incessantly to ensure high standards in each and every initiative taken under my watch by all the entities and departments in my remit. It is, in fact, my duty to thank them all for their dedicated efforts in assimilating the same motivation that has guided me throughout and I heartily augur many more years of serving the vulnerable sections of our society on behalf of the nation as a whole.

Were I to choose our best achievement over these first years in the social solidarity remit with which I was entrusted, I would instantly point to the over one thousand people with a disability who have achieved an independent life in such a short time. Having been trained for employability, and finding our legislative and financial support for employment, these people and their families can now be assured of a brighter future.

High standards

Serving the country – and specifically serving people – is not a time-barred job, nor does it have any expiry date. But it has deadlines that we have met together, despite the fact that our kind of service is effectively a constant case of work-inprogress. Our to-do list has been a constant reminder, linking each project to the next and following openings with detailed monitoring and upgrading.

The long list of initiatives taken and implemented has been supported by numerous induction and refresher courses for our employees at all levels, introducing for the first time the formal accreditation of the University of Malta to ascertain the professional levels expected. This has been pivotal for the employees’ own career prospects and for the quality of service they give to thousands of clients – whether in the community or in residential accommodation.

Best times for Gozo

For decade after decade, Gozitans had the additional burden of their double insularity to access most of the services to which they are entitled. Even worse was the fact that many of them went as far as ignoring their rights in order to avoid the unfair plight. Being a Gozitan myself, and aware as I have always been of that harsh reality, I have made it a priority to change things within the broader framework of a truly fair society. Not only I do have no regrets, but I feel proud to have raised this situation at all levels of the cabinet, parliament and the various ministries and state agencies.

I have based my efforts on the concepts of social justice, accessibility, equality and equity. Hundreds of older people in Gozo, and those with disabilities, can now get a fairly speedy response to their needs nearer to home. This can be done through the establishment of branches in Gozo for the Commission for the Rights of People with a Disability, Aġenzija Sapport, Gozo’s own Commission for Active Ageing, Gozo Special Olympics and the constant collaboration of Jobs-plus and the Malta Communications Authority, among others. This was also supported with the first ever training courses for carers, 80 of whom graduated only a few months ago.

For the first time the elderly sector of the Gozitan community has its own Active Ageing