Manwel Dimech

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Manwel Dimech (born 25 December 1860, Valletta – died 17 April 1921, Sidi Bishr) was the pre-eminent workers' leader in pre-independence Malta, a journalist, and a writer of novels and poetry. It can be said that Dimech a nationalist/anti-colonialist with a socialist outlook, as he saw one of the main aims of Malta gaining sovereignty the emancipation of the Working Class and women. Most of the policies he advocated were implemented by Socialist Prime Minister Dom Mintoff in the 1970s. Among other things, Dimech said that raw material should be imported in Malta and than exported as manufactured goods, a proposal which was implemented with the industrialisation of Malta in the 1960s and 1970s. Dimech was harshly criticised by conservative forces, especially from the Catholic Church, for his appeals to women to "break their chains" and to strive for their emancipation. Dimech also encouroged people to use measures such as boycotts against businessmen who abused of their position in the Market. Dimech was editor of the left-wing and anti-Imperialist newspaper "Il-Bandiera tal-Maltin" (Flag of the Maltese). He was also the founder and main protagonist of "Ix-Xirka ta' l-Imdawlin" (Enlightened's League), a left-wing and anti-Colonial Movement. Dimech is considered to be on of the first proponents of socialism in Malta, and is considered to be the precursor of the Labour Party.

[edit] Death

After he was exiled by the British, Manwel Dimech died in Egypt.

[edit] Monument

After his death, Dimech was nearly forgotten, however research by Professor Henry Frendo led to a renewed interest in his life. The Malta Labour Party at that time erected a monument to Dimech just infront of the Auberge de Castille in Valletta.