Sant stresses importance of Workers' Day

Labour leader Alfred Sant yesterday invited all Maltese and Gozitans "of good will" to join the Labour Party to celebrate Worker's Day at a mass demonstration being held in Valletta this afternoon.

Addressing a mass rally at the MLP headquarters in Hamrun, Dr Sant said those who had argued that there was no scope to celebrate the day this year were mistaken.

The MLP was forward looking and it would therefore hold hands with European socialist movements and parties celebrating May Day to show that wealth could only be built on work.

"Worker's Day is not an occasion to cut ribbons, drink cocktails or go dancing, but to give evidence of our recognition of the need for solidarity and unity so that all decisions will be taken in the interest of Maltese families and workers," he said.

In his address, Dr Sant also saluted the unions, with the General Workers' Union at the forefront, as well as business organisations "of good will" that believed in Malta.

"Malta is now facing a new reality which cannot be ignored. It is the reality within which Labour has to work, in different ways. But, despite changing circumstances, for us the truth is that any action has to be designed to benefit workers," he said.

The demonstration will start from Castille Square at 3 p.m.