Charlot Zahra
Government has not responded so far to the appeal made by 18 trade unions on Friday evening for a meeting with Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi to discuss the new utility tariffs, though Opposition leader Joseph Muscat met the trade unions to discuss the issue yesterday.
“So far we have not been contacted by the Prime Minister,” Union Haddiema Maghqudin (UHM) secretary-general Gejtu Vella confirmed with MaltaToday.
On his part, General Workers’ Union (GWU) secretary-general Tony Zarb said: “After Friday’s manifestation, during which we made the appeal to the Prime Minister, we are still waiting anxiously for his response which could arrive at any moment.”
Friday’s demonstration in Valletta, jointly organised by 18 trade unions including the GWU, the UHM and the Confederation of Malta Trade Unions (CMTU), ended with the trade unions calling for fresh talks with the Prime Minister on the controversial water and electricity tariffs.
The resolution calling for these talks, read out by Zarb on behalf of the trade unions, was approved by a show of hands at the end of the demonstration.
The resolution insisted that the new tariffs had imposed a heavy burden on workers, pensioners and their families and would have a negative impact on the cost of living.
Moreover, it condemned the way the Government had conducted talks with the social partners, accusing it of presenting its own proposals as a fait accomplit, and undermining the way social dialogue should be conducted.
However, the unions held a meeting with Opposition leader Joseph Muscat yesterday morning, after the Labour leader asked to meet them about the matter.
During this meeting, Muscat called on the Nationalist Government to “meet seriously with the social partners about the proposed new tariffs with the aim of finding a solution”.
“Scientific studies that the Labour Party has in its hands show that there are sufficient grounds on which the proposed tariffs could be withdrawn and fresh discussions be held,” Muscat insisted.
Muscat said that latest statistics published by Eurostat on inflation in EU Member States showed that Malta had the higher inflation rate in the eurozone at the end of October this year.
At the same time, Malta was the only country in the euro area that registered an increase in the energy index during the same month.
Muscat said that Friday’s manifestation was a red-letter day for Maltese trade unions, and said that a Labour Government would like to see the establishment of a Trade Union Council (TUC).
Asked about the meeting with Muscat, Vella told MaltaToday: “During this meeting, Muscat listened to the Unions’ position about the water and electricity tariffs.
“He also presented us with two documents published by the Labour Party containing a critical analysis of the proposed power tariffs and the critical analysis of the fuel surcharge without tariffs,” Vella added.
The GWU chief described the meeting with Muscat as a “very good meeting”.
“We were also presented with useful workings about the tariffs which we will be using during the discussions that the Unions would like to have with the Government,” Zarb told MaltaToday.
Meanwhile, leftist group Zminijietna, which participated in the demonstration, yesterday reiterated its appeal reiterated its appeal to Maltese trade unions to form a trade union council “which works in the interest of the working class”.
Zminijietna, which participated in the demonstration, also issued a statement about Friday’s manifestation.
“Trade Union Councils exist in various countries whereby trade unions discuss policies and strategies and come up with proposals in the interests of workers. Trade Unions should unite whilst respecting each others’ identities”.
“Due to the neo-liberal direction Malta is moving in, the country is witnessing an increase of non-unionised workers, part-time workers, workers on contract and informal workers, and once again, this requires strong trade union action, given that much of such employment is characterised by a lack of rights,” Zminijietna added.
“It is through solidarity and collective action that the working class can improve its situation. A Trade Union Council would therefore be a step in the right direction against the ‘race to the bottom’ of neo-liberalism,” the leftist group concluded.

czahra@mediatoday.com.mt

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