Conrad Borg Manché: Labour’s Workers’ Manifesto is a Mirage

Standing before a packed room at the PN headquarters in Pieta, Dr. Conrad Borg Manché didn’t mince his words. “Labour has let down the workers,” he declared, his voice echoing through the historic building that once housed Malta’s first parliament. The former MP and now party strategist was kicking off the Nationalist Party’s (PN) election campaign, focusing on what he sees as Labour’s broken promises to Malta’s working class.

From ‘Workers’ Party’ to ‘Workers’ Betrayal’

Borg Manché painted a stark picture of Labour’s nine-year rule, contrasting their 2013 election manifesto with the reality of today. “They promised to increase the minimum wage, improve workers’ rights, and create jobs,” he said, “But what we’ve seen is a race to the bottom. Wages are stagnant, rights are eroded, and jobs are precarious.” He pointed to the recent protests by airport workers, health sector employees, and educators as evidence of this betrayal.

Borg Manché was particularly critical of Labour’s handling of the COVID-19 pandemic. “They’ve used the crisis to strip away workers’ rights and protections,” he claimed, citing the government’s decision to suspend the collective agreement for public sector workers and introduce restrictive new employment laws.

PN’s ‘Workers’ Pledge’

Borg Manché wasn’t all doom and gloom, however. He outlined the PN’s plans to restore workers’ rights and boost wages. “We’ll increase the minimum wage to a living wage,” he promised, “We’ll strengthen collective bargaining, and we’ll introduce a fourth week of annual leave for all workers.” He also pledged to create a fairer tax system, with more support for low and middle-income earners.

The PN’s strategy also includes plans to diversify the economy, creating new, high-quality jobs. “We can’t keep relying on construction and tourism alone,” Borg Manché said. “We need to invest in sectors like tech, innovation, and green energy. That’s how we’ll create sustainable, well-paid jobs for the future.”

From Promise to Reality

Borg Manché ended his speech by challenging Labour to explain their broken promises. “They’ve had nine years to deliver for workers. They’ve had nine years to prove they’re the ‘workers’ party’ they claim to be. But all we’ve seen is broken promises and betrayal.” He called on Labour to publish their 2027 manifesto, so voters can see what they’re really promising this time.

As the crowd applauded, it was clear that the PN sees the ‘workers’ issue as a key battleground in the upcoming election. Whether they can turn their promises into reality remains to be seen, but one thing is certain: Malta’s workers will be watching closely.