"Job creation will remain priority" – Charlon Gouder

MEP candidate recalls government's work in improving the economy and employment

18 March 2014, 3:04pm
by Staff Reporter

2 min read

Speaking on television program TVAM, Labour MEP candidate Charlon Gouder said that job creation is the first priority for Malta and for the European Socialist Party in the European Parliament.

According to a roadmap for the MEP elections approved by the ESP, job creation is the top priority. “With the government’s pro-business stance, our country is also working towards job creation,” Gouder said. “Our work in the EP will need to complement this to attract further commerce.”

“The rate of unemployment in Malta is much lower than in other countries but this does not mean that the battle against unemployment has been won,” he said. “That battle will continue even if there is a single unemployed person.”

Gouder recalled that in its first 10 months, the government had created 5,000 new jobs, most of which were full time.

“This increase in jobs is double that registered in the same period last year and is expected to increase thanks to 36 new foreign investments, 31 local projects and 50 expansions of already existing investment, which promise 2,600 jobs within the next three years,” he said. He also said that Malta Enterprise has approved more projects in the government’s first ten months than it had in the past seven years.

“The work the government is doing with regards to employment is being recognised both locally and internationally,” he said. “In a time when the Opposition predicted we would require a bailout, the European Commission has concluded that our economy is in good shape.

“The Commission’s winter forecast showed that ours it’s the country creating the most jobs, has the lowest rate of unemployment, has its deficit under control and it one of the ten EU countries with the biggest economic growth.”

These factors, along with the positive change in Fitch rating, show that more people are entering the work force. “This contrasts with the criticism from the PN with regards to the labour market and shows its diminished credibility and leadership credentials.”