Government losing control over unemployment – PN

The Opposition today said that the increase in unemployment registered in September came as a result of the government's "change in economic direction" during the last seven months.

Persons registering as unemployed totaled 7,619 in September of this year, increased by a total of 750 from the corresponding month in 2012, according to the National Statistics Office. 

The Employment and Training Corporation (ETC) have provided data which indicates that there was an increase of 851 persons - or 13.6% - who registered under Part 1 of the unemployment register, whilst there was a drop of 101 persons - or 16.1% - who registered under Part 2 of the register. 

Registered unemployment in Malta rose to 6,866, or by 11 per cent, and in Gozo to 753, or by 10.1 per cent. 

"This is a clear sign that the Maltese economy is not creating jobs with the same rate it was doing just a few months ago," PN deputy leader Mario de Marco said.

He added that the increase in unemployment was worrying in the light of recent media reports which exposed difficulties faced by a number of companies and banks in their operations and in some case companies have also cut their operations.

Faced with such a situation, the Prime Minister Joseph Muscat is insisting that there is no cause for alarm while the finance minister Edward Scicluna expects the National Statistics Office to hide statistics or change the way they are worked out, de Marco said.

"The Prime Minister still acts as if he were in Opposition, ignoring problems instead of offering solutions."

De Marco posed a number of questions and asked what plans does the government have to support companies facing a downturn in export orders and SMEs who are seeking new markets.

"Is the government undertaking any new initiatives in order to address the slowdown recorded in particular sectors, such a cruise liner tourism? What is the government doing to keep its electoral pledge to create new jobs in Gozo? What initiatives are the politically appointed ambassadors undertaking to attract investment and job creation?" de Marco asked.

The PN deputy leader also asked what is the Labour government doing to attract new and emerging sectors, in the same manner the previous government attracted the gaming and science sectors.

"Despite having a declared roadmap for everything and everyone, Muscat has not uttered a word in seven months," he added.

The only employment policies Muscat implemented were intended to create jobs for insiders, including energy minister Konrad Mizzi's wife and LAbour MPs Silvio Schembri, Luciano Busuttil and Deo Debattista, the Opposition deputy leader said.

"In the light of these developments, the Opposition reiterates its call for a clear plan for job creation in the 2014 Budget and an explanation of the government's plans to help businesses facing difficulties."