A budget that continues to weigh and support workers

During his visit to the Non-Alcoholic Beverages General factory, the Prime Minister
met with the workers and discussed with them various issues and their ideas and
suggestions. This discussion was followed up with an extensive meeting with the
leadership of the General Workers’ Union (GWU), which represents the same
workers.
When he sat down with the workers, the Prime Minister listened to the thoughts of
the workers themselves, who pointed out, among other things, how much continuous
training helps them in the workplace and helps them to see a career and not just a
job. The issue of skills was also discussed in the light of GWU’s proposals for the
2024 Budget, which include measures to improve the quality of the Maltese and
Gozitan tourism product in conjunction with the skills of hospitality workers.
In relation to this proposal, the Cabinet of Ministers took an important decision last
week that tourism workers who are really needed in Malta must first pass a special
course before being granted a work permit. Also present at the meeting with the
GWU were Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Health Chris Fearne, Minister for
Economic Affairs, European Funds and Lands Silvio Schembri and Parliamentary
Under-Secretary for social Dialogue. Social Andy Ellul.
In this regard, Prime Minister Robert Abela reiterated the government’s commitment
that the budget will continue to reasonably weight and support workers and their
families and strengthen an economy based on quality. Prime Minister Abela
mentioned the government’s commitment to continue aid to curb inflation as much as
possible.
In this regard, mention was also made of the assistance that the government will
continue to provide for the stability of energy prices, which will provide security and
peace of mind not only to workers, but also to the businesses that employ workers.
This comes against the backdrop of a strong labour market in our country, where the
employment rate is almost five times the average and the lowest unemployment rate
in the Eurozone.
“We meet against the backdrop of a forecast by the International Monetary Fund
(IMF) of the highest economic growth in Europe and the latest credit rating by DBRS
Morningstar, which has once again awarded the Maltese economy the highest
rating,” stressed the Prime Minister Robert Abela, noting that our country must
continue to have a strong economy in order to proceed with the transition of
important forces, i.e. environment and digital along with support for public welfare
measures.