The Labour Party this evening paid tribute to its 'father' during the unveiling of a monument of Dom Mintoff in Paolino Vassallo Square, Cospicua.

Prime Minister Joseph Muscat described Mr Mintoff as a Maltese man of a global stature who managed to divide the past from the future. He made his voice heard, chose his mission and implemented what he believed in.

He was determined and brought about the minimum wage, pensions, children’s allowance, bonuses for workers and pensioners, maternity leave, free healthcare, the decriminalisation of homosexuality and adultery, Air Malta, Enemalta, banks and industrial sector. He gave the Maltese hope for the future.

He also made Malta a Republic giving the country a Maltese head of state. He worked the independence acquired a few years earlier for the country to become economically independent and created new relations with many countries that invested in Malta including China, which relationships were still bearing fruit.

Deputy leader Toni Abela said that Mr Mintoff worked with George Borg Olivier although the two disagreed on certain issues.

He was a European product and not against Europe. What he was against, Dr Abela said, was for European countries to dictate the foreign policy of small countries.