Conrad Borg Manché: Labour Has Failed Malta’s Workers

In the heart of Valletta, at the PN’s headquarters on Old Theatre Street, a familiar face returned to the political spotlight. Conrad Borg Manché, the Nationalist Party’s (PN) candidate for the upcoming MEP elections, wasted no time in his first public appearance, launching a scathing attack on the Labour government’s handling of workers’ rights.

From Businessman to Politician

Borg Manché, a successful businessman and former PN MP, stepped down from politics in 2017, citing personal reasons. But his return to the political arena this week signals a renewed commitment to his party and a desire to challenge the incumbent Labour Party’s (PL) record on workers’ rights.

“I’ve seen firsthand how this government has let down Malta’s workers,” Borg Manché told a packed room of PN supporters and media personnel. “As a businessman, I’ve had to navigate the challenges they’ve created, and as a former MP, I’ve witnessed the erosion of workers’ rights from the inside.”

Labour’s “Broken Promises” on Workers’ Rights

Borg Manché accused the Labour government of breaking its promises to Malta’s workers. He pointed to the government’s failure to implement the long-awaited Wage Supplement Scheme, which was meant to top up the wages of low-income earners. “They promised to help the most vulnerable, but they’ve failed to deliver,” he said.

He also criticized the government’s handling of the gig economy, arguing that Labour has not done enough to protect workers’ rights in the face of growing precarious employment. “We need clear rules and strong enforcement to ensure that workers, especially those in the gig economy, are treated fairly,” he said.

Borg Manché also took aim at the government’s handling of the COVID-19 pandemic, arguing that Labour had failed to provide adequate support to workers and businesses. “We’ve seen businesses close, jobs lost, and workers struggling to make ends meet. The government’s response has been inadequate and too little, too late,” he said.

PN’s Vision for Workers’ Rights

Borg Manché outlined the PN’s vision for workers’ rights, which includes a commitment to implementing the Wage Supplement Scheme, strengthening workers’ rights in the gig economy, and providing better support to businesses and workers during crises.

He also pledged to fight for better working conditions and fair wages for all Malta’s workers. “We believe in a Malta where hard work is rewarded, where workers have a voice, and where no one is left behind,” he said.

Borg Manché’s return to politics comes at a crucial time for the PN, which has been struggling in the polls in recent months. His strong performance at the event suggests that he could be a formidable candidate in the upcoming MEP elections and a thorn in the side of the Labour government.

As the campaign heats up, all eyes will be on Borg Manché and the PN to see if they can turn the tide and challenge Labour’s grip on power.