NEWS | Wednesday, 14 May 2008

Michael Falzon pledges to work on ST situation if elected

Charlot Zahra
Labour leadership contender Michael Falzon pledged that if elected Labour leader on June 5, he would do his utmost to save the 2,000 jobs which are at risk at STMicroelectronics.
Asked about the future of ST during a tour of Birgu market yesterday morning, Falzon said that there were various factors contributing to the problems at the company, including the price of the US Dollar and the rising prices of oil.
He said that if ST would close, it would be a hard blow to the Maltese economy, as half of the country’s exports depended on it, and it was a good source of foreign exchange.
Falzon said that if elected, he was ready to work with all social partners in order to stimulate economic growth in the country.
Speaking to the press at the end of the tour, Falzon said that during the last general election, the Labour Party had proposed a plan for the Grand Harbour area.
“If the delegates choose me as Labour leader on June 5, I will work so that those plans are implemented,” Falzon pledged.
He said the rising cost of living was still on his agenda, committing himself to reduce Government-induced costs, which were partially contributing to this rise. “The rising prices of oil and cereals from abroad, however, cannot be controlled,” he said.
Along with the graffiti “Labour” emblazoned on the walls, Labour leadership contender Michael Falzon was definitely at home as he toured the Birgu market.
In fact, Falzon was elected from the Second Electoral District during the March 8 general elections, snatching back the fourth seat from the Nationalist Party.
“Aghmel kuragg!”, an elderly couple egged him on as he started his lightning tour in the searing sun under the watchful eye of his personal assistant Nathalie Attard and John Zammit, the secretary of the Tenth District Labour committee.
Many of his supporters were evidently surprised by the strong presence of the media, and some did not want to be photographed out of shyness as they shook hands with the grinning Falzon.
Falzon, who was immaculately dressed in a suit, seemed particularly at ease with elderly couples and mothers carrying their babies together. He urged the latter to “take care of them”, referring to the Cubs of Change.

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