PRESIDENT DE MARCO VISITS THE EMPLOYMENT AND TRAINING CORPORATION

President Guido de Marco spoke of the dignity of all workers and of the importance of work both to society and to the well-being of the individual. He said this when this morning he visited officially the premises of the ETC in Xewkija in Gozo and the corporation's Head Office in Hal Far.

President de Marco was accompanied by the Chairman of ETC Dr. Robert Tufigno and by the corporation's Chief Executive, Mr. John Camilleri. At the Xewkija office he was shown a presentation on the services provided by and the prospects for the ETC in Gozo. While he was there, President de Marco spoke to the employees and to some of the job seekers who were on the premises.

On his arrival at the Head Office in Hal Far, the President was welcomed by the deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Social Policy Dr. Lawrence Gonzi and also by the deputy chief executive officer Mr. Felix Borg.

The Chairman of ETC, Dr. Robert Tufigno said that the President's visit was an occasion where the employees could reaffirm the reason for the corporation's existance and also to look at the tasks which lie ahead.

The Deputy Prime Minister Dr. Lawrence Gonzi said that the President's visit was a great honour to the corporation. He said that the employees were there for the benefit of the workers and the presence of the President was a sign of appreciation for the work accomplished by the ETC.

Mr. Omar Mintoff, who spoke on behalf of the ETC staff said that the President is the emblem of unity among workers. The corporation, said Mr. Mintoff, needed more people trained in being able to see trend in statistics since it is on these numbers that politicians base their policies.

When speaking to the employees, President de Marco reminded them that they are not dealing with an anonymous number or file but with a person who has the right to the dignity of work. President de Marco said that, while it is true that by international standards, the level of unemployment in Malta is not high, for each person who is seeking work there is a person deprived of work, man's primary dignity.