Muscat reaffirms Labour’s commitment to ICT sector

Labour leader Joseph Muscat reiterated Labour's commitment to supporting the growth of the ICT industry during a visit to private software development company Ascent.

During the visit, during which Muscat toured offices and chatted with employees, the Labour leader reiterated several of Labour's proposals aimed at the ICT sector, working parents, and even foreign expansion.

Describing Ascent as "a typical example how small companies that started with an idea, and today now grew into a successful source of economic growth and employment", Muscat said that Labour is committed to expanding upon the success that the ICT industry has enjoyed so far under the current administration.

To achieve this, Muscat said that the country must invest in its human potential, pointing to the importance of 'continual professional development', or life-long-learning on the workplace.

He said that, given the fast-changing nature of the ICT industry, both workers and employers need to be incentivised to invest further in the skills of ICT workers in order to be able to develop and offer competitive products and services on the international market.

Muscat also pledged to "narrow the digital divide" which he admitted "is not as palpable as it was years ago" but added that issues such as low-levels of digital literacy are still worrying.

Muscat was also asked by the media to be clear on what change Labour is proposing.

Muscat said that, among the changes that Labour is promising, "is a new style of governance, which lays down a need for more transparency, more accountability, more meritocracy, and more rigorousness."

He also said that a Labour government would work towards bringing more women into the workforce, and also would bring about a much-needed change in Malta's energy direction.

Muscat also repeated several proposals, among which is the provision of free childcare to all parents with children aged three and below, the extension of the Club3/16 service for after-school childcare, and the extension of family friendly measures such as flexitime and reduced hours.

Muscat also reiterated Labour's proposal to extend MEPA permits beyond their normal five-year period so as to give more breathing space to both developers and the environment.

He said that at the same time, such extensions to existing permits would completely confirm and respect existing Local Plans, adding that the complete parameters would be unveiled in its environmental and development proposals package.

Fielding questions from Ascent employees, Muscat added that Gozo remains an important priority with regards to economic growth.

He said that while tourism remains big player in this regard, he said that the ICT sector nevertheless has "considerable room to grow" in Gozo."

Muscat also reiterated Labour's commitment to carrying out the SmartCity project.