Budget 2011 to emphasise social sector and employment

The minister raised the issue of competitiveness, which he said is “crucial” for Malta in a time of the international recession. The country’s sustainability of finances and provisions for employment are also priorities for the budget of 2011. “We are aiming to reduce government debt by 3% in next year’s budget, and keep the country’s deficit down at 3.9%,” Fenech said. 

In the employment sector, government is looking towards a number of initiatives to create further employment and to increase the workforce, particularly to attract women, youngsters and the elderly into working, the minister said. Malta’s number of unemployed increased by 1,300 in 2009.

Measures for employment include the strengthening of basic skills for those seeking work; incentives for the private sector to introduce measures in favour of the family; promotion of employment mobility and the strengthening of ties between enterprises and education institutions.

The budget also features strengthening the country’s health sector, with regard to the function of human resources. Proposals include the implementation of the national strategy on cancer; a campaign against tobacco; introduction of services of the PET scanner and funds to combat obesity amongst others.