Forum vows not to 'give up struggle' in gaining MCESD seat

Paul Pace, secretary-general of union confederation Forum, has accused government of remaining silent over Forum's role in the Malta Council for Economic and Social Development (MCESD) during the parliamentary debate on the 2012 budget.

Speaking in parliament on Monday, Parliamentary Secretary Chris Said said that government agrees that Forum MCESD but it will not impose this decision on the council.

"Another year has come to an end and government is obstinately insisting with its politics of exclusion in our regards. The 11 unions in the confederation remain voiceless and unrepresented with MCESD whilst being a full member of the European Trade Union Confederation (ETUC)," Pace said.

"The General Workers Union (GWU) has been advocating our immediate membership within MCESD for a long time. The Union Haddiema Maghqudin (UHM) has now confirmed that it has no objection to its membership. In fact the UHM secretary general publicly said that it has absolutely no objection and will not play gatekeeper."

Pace said government should end its "hypocrisy, endless arrogance and should stop taking thousands of workers and their families for a ride."

"Next year, Forum will continue its struggle in order to have the law which impedes Forum's participation in the MCESD amended and take the place it rightly deserves. Forum will not give up and will continue its holy war up to the forthcoming elections," Pace said.