Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi yesterday declined to make any reference to the general election date, though he admitted that the country would know officially shortly.
Speaking after a consultation meeting with the General Workers' Union in connection with the electoral manifesto, Dr Gonzi, who is widely expected to dissolve Parliament tomorrow, said: "We are slowly moving towards that moment and at the opportune time the decisions will be taken and it will be announced. We'll shortly know. Time passes quickly."
Accompanied by deputy Prime Minister Tonio Borg and party candidates Paul Borg Olivier and Caroline Galea, Dr Gonzi met with GWU officials during one of a series of visits forming part of the PN's consultation exercise with the social partners before drawing up the electoral manifesto.
At the beginning of the meeting, which was open to the media, Dr Gonzi said his party wanted to work with the union to create more and better jobs but also to keep a close watch on the existing employment situation.
GWU general secretary Tony Zarb told top Nationalist Party officials that the next Government ought to be based on clear and consistent policies, efficiency, accountability and transparency.
This was the primary request listed in the union's pre-election memorandum address to political parties.
As he presented the memorandum, Mr Zarb said the new Government ought to draw up a strategic plan for the next five years and capital projects should be given target costs and dates.
He said that the Government, as the largest employer, should not dabble in industrial relations. Instead, he said, it should treat the union with respect and avoid a repeat of cases like Sea Malta, Maltapost, Cargo Handling, Interprint, Air Malta and Enemalta.
Most importantly, he said, the Government should keep promises made to workers. It should implement sustainable environmental policies, commit itself to ensuring that the new hospital remained a place where the public was given the best service for free and that health centres remained open.
Referring to the cost of living increase given to the elderly, he said pensioners should permanently receive it in full and the anomalies in the pension system ought to be addressed.
Dr Gonzi then went on to meet with members from the Federation of Industry with the same aim of consulting with the federation before his party launches its electoral manifesto.
During the meeting Dr Gonzi, this time accompanied by Nationalist MP John Dalli and candidates Pippo Psaila and Philip Mifsud, said that in light of the hard times faced by the world economy, Malta needed a strong policy and this was not a time to take chances with the economy.
FOI president Martin Galea said that Malta's accession to the EU and the adoption of the euro has placed it in a better position to face the challenges ahead.