Government’s lethargy led to rise in unemployment - PN

The first six months of the Labour administration have resulted in a 9% increase in unemployment, the Nationalist Party said.

In a statement signed by PN deputy leader for Parliamentary affairs Mario de Marco and MPs Tonio Fenech and Kristy Debono, the Opposition said that it had warned the government on the risks of not having clear policies on job creation.

Today, the National Statistics Office said that in August, persons registering as unemployed numbered 7,425, up by 604, or 8.9%, over the corresponding month in 2012.

Describing the statistics as "very worrying," the PN said that unlike the previous PN administration, the Labour government has not uttered a word on its fathom job creation policies.

However, the PN said that during the first six months in office, the Labour government has found ample time "to employ Labour sympathisers at ministries and other government entities."

"In these six months the government has not explained its vision for manufacturing, emerging sectors or how it will create new industries. The country is still in the dark."

Prime Minister Joseph Muscat and the ministers responsible for job creation were held responsible by the PN, who called on the government to inform the people on what measures they are being taken to identify which sectors are shedding jobs and how the situation can be rectified.

The Opposition added that the country's economy performed admirably during the economic recession, which hit the world in recent years, "and now that the tide has turned it is even more important for this government to give the country economic direction before it is too late, to the detriment of workers and their families."