[WATCH] Fiery Muscat promotes social justice, says he's the first to shoulder responsibility

Muscat on Panama dissatisfaction: ‘I am the first to shoulder responsibility for what happened’ • Video: Ivan Consiglio

Standing before thousands of Labour supporters, Prime Minister Joseph Muscat delivered an impassioned speech laying out the government's economic and social vision for the next two years.

“The Opposition has come asking for the keys but the people say no ... we will govern until the end and then put ourselves for the judgement of the people,” Muscat said.

The worker was at the centre of his Worker's Day address, announcing new regulations to come into force as from tomorrow: the government will stop issuing contracts of work which are for less than a year. In offers, the preferred bidder will not be the cheapest offer but the one with the best working conditions. Companies, whose workers are enrolled with a trade union and are safeguarded by a collective agreement, will have a better chance of winning a government contract.

Work regulations will be evaluated every six months.

“We are a pro-business movement but also a coalition that is strengthened when the worker becomes stronger,” Muscat said, pledging a fight against poverty.

Making social justice his pitch, the Labour leader said persons with disability who could not join the workforce would start receiving benefits that match the minimum wage. The next two years will see the discussion widening on gay marriages; the government will launch the discussion on allowing 16-year-olds to vote in MEP elections, to then open up to general elections in later years.

Pensions will continue to rise and persons who choose to stay at home to take care of their relatives will receive a pension as well.

He pledged a reduction of unemployed persons under 4,000 by the end of the five-year term and said the government will fight to save Air Malta. The next two years will see the implementation of the cohabitation law and an improved public transport system, among others. He also pledged support to the farmers in view of the drought.

An electoral pledge, members of parliament will start receiving payment according to their attendance in parliament. Every major government contract will be published.

The environment, he said, will be a priority: no more development on ODZ land for the coming two years and more will be done to increase open spaces.  Work on the Bormla campus of the American University of Malta is starting next week whilst works on White Rocks will be underway over the next two years.

“We did a lot over these three years, much more than others did in 25 years,” he said, in a speech that steered clear of mentioning and attacking the leader of the Opposition.

Muscat also sought to address the dissatisfaction caused by Panama Papers revelations and other issues.

“I am the first to shoulder responsibility for what happened because I was the one who came before you telling you to trust me. I came before you with the pledges and I am proud that we are implementing them. Likewise, I am here to tell you that my friends and I have the energy to continue working, to double our work and make up for our mistakes. We have the energy because you are with us. Thank you for being with us.”