COVID-19 wage supplement will extend beyond October – Prime Minister Robert Abela

Prime Minister Robert Abela said that the COVID-19 wage supplement will extend beyond the end of October, in order to help sectors that suffered due to the economic impact of COVID-19.

Prime Minister Robert Abela was being interviewed on Sunday by TV presenter John Bundy on ONE TV.

Asked about the upcoming budget, Abela remarked that the budget will focus on pensioners, workers and on those people who had fallen behind. It will also focus on infrastructure, such as on improving roads, while also including measures to help the private sector and the country's economy.

“The emphasis will also be on strengthening the social foundations of our country,” he said.

Bundy brought up the fact that Malta’s political class is seen in a negative light because of all the corruption allegations in the recent past, and all else that is presently still going on. Asked what his plan is, as Prime Minister, to better the situation and truly make the Maltese people and foreign countries believe that Malta shouldn’t be seen in such a negative light, Abela said that in recent months “we have made many changes for the good of our country.”

“Back in January 2020, our country went through a severe political crisis, however a few days later we brought tranquillity and introduced a programme of reforms.”

“Although on 7 March we declared a state of emergency due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the government made sure to continue with its work and go through with developing the reform programme,” he said.

Discussing the COVID-19 pandemic, Abela remarked that the strategy in handling this situation is focused on many aspects, however he stressed the importance of keeping the elderly in their considerations.

“Due to the virus they have had to face an unprecedented situation which put them most at risk. Therefore, we need to do our utmost to safeguard their health as much as possible.”

He added that “if further restrictions are needed, we will definitely implement them in order to keep everyone as safe as possible. However, one must keep in mind and fully comprehend that this is a long-term situation and won’t disappear in a few days. We must remain disciplined, patient and determined.”

Prime Minister Abela said that once the vaccine for the virus is developed and made available for use, this does not mean that the pandemic will disappear overnight.

With regard to the opening of schools in the coming weeks, Bundy made reference to other European countries such as France, that had opened their schools to students and educators but then had to close their doors once again due to the virus.

Asked what the government has planned if Malta goes through a similar situation, Abela said that serious protocols and directives have been drawn up by the health authorities together with the Ministry for Education and all related stakeholders, to ensure the health and safety of all students and educators.

He added that “the re-opening of schools was one of the most difficult decisions the government has had to make, but despite this difficulty, it is crucial that schools open as we do not afford losing our children’s educational development.”

“We cannot guarantee that no student or educator will get COVID-19 as this is impossible and people need to learn how to adapt to this new reality. Life must go on.

However, if this happens, there are the necessary protocols that need to be followed.”

Abela explained that no parent will be forced to send their child to school if they do not feel comfortable, however, they will instead be given a choice - to send their children physically to school or to follow an online learning system. If some parents feel more comfortable keeping their child at home and adapting to the online learning system, they can do so.

He once again confirmed that parents who do not send their children to school will not be fined.

Regarding the immigration crisis, Abela said that the government does not have the ability to guarantee the public that no other boats will arrive in Malta, “as this is impossible.”

He added that “we have done our best to reduce the number of immigrants coming to Malta, and explained that during August, the number of immigrants had fallen sharply this year when compared to previous years.”

In addition, a group of migrants were relocated to France on Friday after an agreement was reached between Malta and the French government, he said.

Abela once again disagreed with PN Leader Contestant Bernard Grech’s statement, that Malta is not ‘full up’, and Abela expressed his contrary belief as Malta is “unable to accommodate any more people.”

“Our priority will remain to reduce the number of immigrants in Malta,” he said.