“We have a special aid package to help the particular needs of Gozo and to address all those businesses who are suffering in these difficult times. We must take care of Gozo’s economy before it is too late,” said Leader of the Opposition Adrian Delia, speaking at a media briefing with Chris Said and Kevin Cutajar.

Dr. Delia said that Gozo already suffered from double insularity, but with the outbreak of Covid-19 the difficulties experienced by Gozitans are magnified because Gozo’s economy depends much more on the tourism sector and tourists, with the threat to employers and workers in tourism, either directly or indirectly, greater in Gozo.

He stated that the Government did not consult with social partners, including the Gozo Business Chamber and the Gozo Tourism Authority to hear the concerns of businesses that are at risk with Gozitan workers whose daily bread is under threat, with some having already lost their jobs.

Adrian Delia said Gozitans are suffering most from bad government decisions, after the Government chose to give three hospitals to a company that never had experience in the medical sector.

“We have had not a return on the investment made,” said Dr Delia, “if we had then Gozo would have 450 beds that can be used during this Covid-19 outbreak.”

“Instead we can’t even carry out swabbing tests on Gozo, nor is there the ability to provide the best possible care to patients in Gozo in these very difficult times, with Gozo patients having to be sent to Malta,” he added.

The PN Leader also said that proposals had been submitted by PN for workers on Gozo Channel ferries, which included security measures, cleaning and fewer trips, all these to help prevent the spread of the virus in Gozo.

Adrian Delia said that while the Government has implemented some of the proposals submitted, “the Opposition will continue to insist that all proposals put forward will be put into force for the best interests of Gozo.”

Chris Said said that the Gozo’s economy has been destroyed in hours and the employer is in panic because they do not want to terminate the workers’ employment.

He added that Gozo’s economy depends much more than Malta on tourism, and pointed out that 50% of Gozo’s GDP comes from tourism and the lack of tourists has been felt greatly on the island.

“Statistics show that the income of Gozitans is also lower than that of Maltese families, with average earnings € 5500 below those in Malta, this is in addition to the gap in economic development which in Gozo rose sharply last year,” said Dr Said.

Chris Said said that the Government should immediately implement the proposals put forward by the PN including discounts of 50% on electricity and water bills, and a moratorium on payments due to the Government, especially from factories, which will all help Gozo businesses.

He said that there should also be a team of experts to assist the business sector on the island, because there is no information as to how to apply for the announced incentives.

Chris Said stated that “Gozo is paying a bitter price for the Government’s decision to privatise the only hospital on Gozo, and its people are now hoping that in the coming days this decision does not have disastrous effects on their health.”

Permalink: PN has a “special aid package to help the particular needs of Gozo”