The issue of unemployment has been under discussion over recent months (MT0402102N [1]). On 15 February 2004, the opposition Malta Labour Party (MLP) organised a mass protest against what it calls a 'crisis in economic and social spheres'. The MLP accuses the government of not accepting that there is an employment crisis, blaming the current situation on globalisation, and failing to take any initiatives to create work. The protest was meant to express support for various categories of people, including those who have recently become unemployed, those whose job is threatened, pensioners and students whose future is uncertain, the small-scale self-employed and entrepreneurs who risk their capital to create jobs. The MLP emphasises that the number of people registering to seek work has increased by 11% in the past year. The MLP has also organised other activities targeted at increasing awareness of the precarious employment situation. Furthermore, its senior officials have held meetings regarding the employment situation with various bodies.[1] www.eurofound.europa.eu/ef/observatories/eurwork/articles/unions-concerned-about-employment-situation
In February 2004, the opposition Malta Labour Party (MLP) organised protests over the employment situation, accusing the governing Nationalist Party (NP) of being unable to generate new jobs. However, the government is confident that the various measures it is taking, and impending EU membership, will soon boost the Maltese economy. The government is currently preparing a National Action Plan (NAP) for employment, which is to be discussed with the social partners.
The issue of unemployment has been under discussion over recent months (MT0402102N). On 15 February 2004, the opposition Malta Labour Party (MLP) organised a mass protest against what it calls a 'crisis in economic and social spheres'. The MLP accuses the government of not accepting that there is an employment crisis, blaming the current situation on globalisation, and failing to take any initiatives to create work. The protest was meant to express support for various categories of people, including those who have recently become unemployed, those whose job is threatened, pensioners and students whose future is uncertain, the small-scale self-employed and entrepreneurs who risk their capital to create jobs. The MLP emphasises that the number of people registering to seek work has increased by 11% in the past year. The MLP has also organised other activities targeted at increasing awareness of the precarious employment situation. Furthermore, its senior officials have held meetings regarding the employment situation with various bodies.
The governing Nationalist Party (NP) is confident that it will soon boost economic growth, which will create new jobs to replace the lost ones. The government believes that EU membership (from May 2004) will result in the creation of new jobs through access to the huge European market for Maltese exports, together with the provision of EUR 86 million in financial assistance over the next three years.
The government is currently preparing a National Action Plan (NAP) for employment. The NAP will seek to ensure closer coordination between all sectors of the government while raising labour market participation, including that of women, encouraging further training and boosting entrepreneurship. The core committee in charge of the NAP will start discussing it in detail with the social partners in the near future. The plan is expected to be completed by June 2004 and will be presented to the EU in October. It will be structured to respond to the three main objectives of the European employment strategy: full employment; quality and productivity at work and social cohesion; and an inclusive labour market. One of the NAP’s priorities will be to identify what skills will be needed by the future workforce and suggest the necessary improvements to help the Maltese people exploit emerging opportunities.
The government is trying to tackle the employment situation through higher investment in worker training, and through restructuring of the public service. Such reforms are also seen as essential for private sector growth. Among the most notable reforms that have been carried out in the education system in the last years has been the setting up of the Malta College of Arts Science and Technology (MCAST).
Meanwhile, after 27 years heading the NP, Eddie Fenech Adami has resigned from his post while keeping for the moment the job of Prime Minister. The NP general council elected Lawrence Gonzi to take the place of the former leader. Mr Gonzi’s immediate priorities include strengthening the economy and fighting unemployment, as well as initiatives to attract more foreign investment. Mr Gonzi is not expected to make significant changes to the government’s employment policies in the near future.
Eurofound iesaka šo publikāciju citēt šādi.
Eurofound (2004), Spotlight on employment issues, article.
