Labour Day – proud and determined

The hard working Labour Government has turned Malta and Gozo into a success story on all counts. It is evident more than ever that the Opposition has no credentials to outdo the great results achieved over our first five years in office.

The past week has produced further results that confirm the country’s high performance with the highest number of persons ever – including more women and more people with disability – in employment. The country’s finances have resulted in a record €436 million surplus for 2017, compared to the hundreds of millions in the red up to 2013. The social picture is even more encouraging, with the sharp fall in the number of people in severe material deprivation at onethird of the amount inherited from previous administrations. Official Eurostat figures show that the number of people at risk of poverty had increased to 10 per cent between 2007 and 2012, while that high figure has been brought down to 3.3 per cent between 2013 and 2017.

Results, loud and clear

More strikingly, Labour’s first four years in office have constantly reduced the national debt burdens, practically erasing hundreds of millions in debt accumulated by the 2008-2013 PN governments, and the country is now at a better standing than for more than 20 years. It represents a significant fall in relative terms of the country’s debt, to 50.8 per cent of GDP which, in 2013, was as high as 63.8 per cent of GDP. Together with hundreds of millions in foreign investment, this week’s undeniable results reinforce our longer-term vision for future generations. Quite rightly, Labour’s AGM this week has adopted Malta ta’ Għada (tomorrow’s Malta) as its slogan.

Over the past five years we have worked incessantly to change the people’s mindset to trust in their own resilience, fully aware of a compact administration and moving from a culture of social assistance to a society that fosters empowerment and provides equal opportunities and rights. As a matter of fact, it is really encouraging to note the incredible increase in employment of people with disability during the last five years. It proves the Labour Government’s commit- ment to move ahead with prosperity with a purpose.

These are the credentials with which workers and their families will proudly celebrate Labour Day this year, in the knowledge that their right for employment is guaranteed as are all other rights within the fair society we are building for Malta and Gozo. This was precisely our aim when, this time last year, Prime Minister Joseph Muscat asked the nation for a further mandate to proceed on the right track to consolidate the country’s self-esteem and to rank high among other nations. Maltese and Gozitans had readily and overwhelmingly obliged, with the highest majority ever, despite desperate attempts by those who still cannot accept being ousted from people’s trust in two consecutive fair and democratic elections.

The ‘no-way’ attitude

On a daily basis we are witnessing that it is very convenient for the Opposition to try to divert people’s attention from the nation’s successes by engaging in the universally decried mud-slinging to every possible extent. While such attempts linger on, more people can now see the constant negative pattern they have been applying at each point when the Labour Government shines out brilliantly in achieving the best results for our country – both locally and internationally.

It is interesting to note that the proposed ‘new way’ has turned out to be no way, nurtured by the same negative approach. It is even worse when we consider that, by opposing a strong and compact Government, we now have a fragmented Opposition, blatantly exposing wide-ranging inconsistencies in substance and belief.

The relentless campaigns of personal attacks, singling out all the best performers in Labour’s ranks, clearly prove a lack of political acumen and alternative policies. Here again, such campaigns cannot make any headway unless they pass two tests: truth and relevance. In a democratic society, what one says about one’s opponent must be true and authentic and must also be relevant to the electorate’s immediate interest – otherwise it backfires.

This was again manifestly evident this week in the house with their 20-10 split vote on the final reading of the Gender-based Violence and Domestic Violence Bill, which passed with 44 voting in favour and 20 voting against.

Our legislative programme

This week, Parliament continued debating the necessary amendments to the IVF legislation. It was a welcome opportunity for me to reiterate my solid and consistent pro-life stand, expressing my own personal experience as a mother and fully aware of many women who, for years, have been facing infertility problems. IVF has existed in Malta for a long time but it was not regulated until 2012 when the respective law was unanimously passed with the approval of the then Labour Opposition.

Infertility does not affect only one or two people, but 18 per cent of people – one person out of every six who desire to become parents. This is quite substantial and we firmly believe in providing equal opportunities and can never allow a situation where potential couples are ignored by the State when facing financial or other obstacles in achieving their goals. The legislation itself is wisely laid out in full respect of pro-life ethical stances.

Debates on this law had already begun in the last legislature, meaning that amendments to the law were already being discussed at length years ago. It is not true that it is being done hastily. It is accepted that there can be various opinions, all of which are to be respected, particularly since the public debate has been going on for years. For many women, waiting for the conclusion of the legislative process can be detrimental and the government, fully committed to the widely approved election manifesto, has to move ahead because now is not only the time to continue discussing but also to the time to decide.

Linking generations

Among my ministerial engagements this week, I have attended various school activities in Gozo to mark European Intergenerational Day, intended to encourage various forms of relationships between young and old that once came naturally. It is fast becoming a new buzzword in the caring of both the very young and the very old, with activities that link young children with elderly people – who may be residing in retirement homes or living alone. It is all based on the fact that children dream of growing up, while older people dream of staying active.

I told students that solidarity must be tangible if it is to have a positive impact. Young and old from both ends of the ageing spectrum can join hands for better citizenship. The intergenerational mix helps the elderly feel part of children’s lives and consequently increase their sense of purpose that can lead to a healthier and active old age.

At one of the events, pupils brought their grandparents in order to feel how important it is to enhance the mutual bond between them and to understand each other’s challenges. Considering that the month dedicated to autism awareness is coming to an end, it was also a good opportunity for me to talk about more awareness of the autism spectrum. Thanks to the hard work on the part of teachers and other professionals, children have learned about the condition and how to communicate better with children having this condition. We need more awareness outside the school premises for better inclusion beyond our schools and in all our communities.

Together with our economic successes, our hard work in the social field is also part of our pride for Labour Day, fully determined to further expand the country’s prosperity for future generations.