The Labour Leader, Dr Jospeph Muscat took part in the programme fis-Sustanza, from Hamrun, where he participated together with Deputy Leader Louis Grech.

Dr Muscat stated, “For the eleventh consecutive month, the unemployment rate has increased, and the number of those seeking employment is actually higher than five years ago, at the beginning of the legislature.”

He said that the Government’s statistics are contradicting what PN is stating about job creation. Joseph Muscat acknowledged that there are sectors where the job quality is good including the remote gaming and financial sectors. However, there are other sectors in which the jobs created are of a precarious or almost precarious nature and in view of this the PL Leader reiterated “that a new Government will be committed to eradicate precariousness.”

The Labour Leader asserted that a new Government will be incentivising the private sector so that it will generate more jobs, and thus will give this sector all the space necessary in which to operate.

Joseph Muscat spoke about the reasons given by 3 CEOs of major companies who said that they cannot generate more jobs because of obstacles including land tax, bureaucracy and high utility bills. The PL Leader affirmed that to date, “the PL is the only movement with a clear way forward regarding the energy sector, whereas others have no clear plan.”

Joseph Muscat insisted that we cannot remedy injustices by propagating other injustices. “I am aware that there are those who suffered, but I cannot live in a country where paybacks are the order of the day. That is not the Malta that I want my children to inherit.”

The PL Leader added, “If we did not believe in a new political style, we would not have returned from Brussels. We entered politics to bring about change. We are not going for politics of the past which look at faces. Politics of the past damage and have damaged this country badly. The choice on the 9th of March is between the Nationalist Party of cliques and the Labour Party made up of the Movement which is open for everyone.”

Joseph Muscat insisted that the PL is being positive, and has been so from the very start. “Those who are negative, have nothing to say. Our campaign is about the people and not about mudslinging. We will leave others to that task.”

The PL Leader said that the choices for Maltese students at tertiary level are rather limited. He explained that the PL was approached by a consortium that operates a network of 18 universities in the United Kingdom, United States and China, with a proposal to open a campus in Malta, where they are saying there is the potential of attracting around 3,000 students to Malta.

The PL Leader stated that “this same consortium is also interested in developing a campus in Gozo as well, in collaboration with the Gozo Hospital. This project will raise our standards, while foreign students will come to Malta to pursue their studies and at the same time there will be more opportunities for Maltese students.”

With respect to animal welfare, Joseph Muscat mentioned the proposal of a pet cemetery as well as the setting up of an institution led by a Commissioner for Animal Welfare, whose remit will include the implementation of legislation and awareness raising campaigns in order to increase education regarding more respect towards animals.

The PL Leader stated that there should also be indicated locations where animals will be allowed to swim whilst there will be harsher penalties for those who abuse or are cruel to animals.

Muscat concluded, “We have to think about the type of country we want our children to inherit. If this Movement is given the people’s trust, we will not be removing the blue flag to raise a red one instead, but we will be flying the red and white Maltese flag to ensure that Malta is truly for all.”

Louis Grech spoke about much-needed reforms in the justice sector and MEPA.

The Deputy Leader also spoke about another urgent reform in the public broadcasting aspect to ensure that broadcasting does not belong to some party or the other, because public broadcasting should be impartial. Louis Grech concluded that “a new Government will be heeding the words of the Auditor General and will be acting upon the recommendations given, as opposed to what the current Government did.”

Louis Grech claimed, “Without change, things will not improve. This manifesto was not produced in a frivolous manner, but it is a journey with the aim of ensuring that the people are at the centre of politics.”

The Deputy Leader spoke about the need for honest politics and stated, “whilst it is good to be different, it is not healthy to have divisions such as those promoted by others.”

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