Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi yesterday hobnobbed with some of his most tenacious of adversaries, namely unions who up to this day are demanding more consultation on the increase in utility tariffs.
Christmas drinks at Castille yesterday gave Gonzi an opportunity to address unions, constituted bodies and mayors, whom he said were an integral part of Malta’s social and environmental development.
With unions still demanding that Gonzi reopen consultation on the new tariffs on electricity and water, the prime minister chose to hail his government’s efforts at widening public consultation through the MCESD and MEUSAC, the EU consultation committee.
He thanked the unions for their work, adding that 2008 had come to a close with the successful changeover to the euro currency, which had served the country well during the recent financial earthquake.
“Thanks to the Malta Council for Economic and Social Development, government continued to consult its members, to listen to its advice and proposals. The role of the MCESD is to offer this platform of consultation and social dialogue between government, the social partners and civil society. Last September, the council branched out with its Gozitan regional committee, to discuss Gozo-specific issues.”
Gonzi said the consultation exercise was “an experience from which there was a lot to be learnt.”
“Reform is essential, and we’re part of what’s happening in the world, so we must not be cut off from reality. We have to look beyond and not just at the immediate impact, and we have to work more together and understand each other.”
He added there was a need for more time in which both government and social partners could meet up to hammer our the future of the country. “We know we have big challenges ahead of us. This government is determined not to run away from reality, but to face it with determination. If we work together, even the hardest challenges can be overcome, and more ambitious targets can be reached.”
Gonzi acknowledged the difference between the various interests separating both government and the constituted bodies.
“Naturally, in our discussions we sometimes agree and sometimes we disagree with each other. The truth is we agree on many things. We agree on a vision for our country. Although the different opinions are numerous, and often the loudest, I believe there is still agreement on the values we embrace, no social justice, the national interest, and the need to create more employment for our workers.
“We’re committed to strengthening the structure of social dialogue. The first step was to create a parliamentary secretary responsible for public consultation, whose responsibility it is to effect a consultation as wide and continuous as possible.”
Gonzi also reminded those present of the government’s vision for 2015, saying the country will keep focused on the seven areas in which it wanted to achieve “a centre of excellence”.
“Today’s global situation should push us towards reaching our targets faster. Our strategy to focus the country’s energies onto these seven areas is the best tool we could use to strengthen what we have. Our country’s size does not limit the potential in these areas, namely financial services, technology, tourism, value added manufacturing, health and education, and Gozo. Indeed we have a good chance of being better than others, because the size of our economy enables us to respond better and with more flexibility.”
Gonzi said unions, local councils and civil society had an important role to play in seeing the 2015 vision come together.
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