Union Haddiema Maghqudin bosses to step down

Addressing a press conference at the union’s headquarters, Union Haddiema Maghqudin President Gejtu Tanti, Vice-President Joe Vella and Secretary-General Gejtu Vella said it was time to make way for new officials.

Whilst Joe Vella is not contesting the coming general elections in October having reached the age of retirement, Gejtu Vella and Tanti said they felt time has come for them to move on and leave the leadership in the hands of others.

“We have been discussing internally this decision for 12 months and we have decided that our time is up,” Gejtu Vella said. “We will also not be letting anyone else nominate us for other positions.”

Gejtu Vella has been member of the UHM for over 22 years, when in 1989 he was the secretary for the hotels section, whilst Tanti had been the secretary for general services. They had been elected together and for 13 years they headed the union.

Vella explained that at the beginning of their leadership, both him and Tanti had come up with an agreement that they would either work together or nothing.

The two explained that their decision of stepping down was in no way a “message” but it was a show of confidence in the people of the union. “We are leaving behind us a dedicated team. The union has all the material, potential, youths, and aspirations to prosper,” Vella said.

“The union will continue to move forward independently of political parties, which is what makes us different from other unions.”

Both said that at the moment they had no plans for the future. Gejtu Vella said that he intends to take two months sabbatical leave: “It is time for me to slow down, move away from union life and look at life from another angle.”

UHM also unveiled the document, ‘Social Vision For You 2015’, on which the union will base its work for the coming four years. Once finalized, the document will be presented at the union’s General Conference to be held on 19 and 20 October.

Amongst others, the document focuses on social aspects including quality of life, health, education, technology, democratic institutions and the family.

The union’s paid-up members and other officials have until September 9 to place their nominations for the positions of president, vice-president and secretary-general.