Forum to be granted full MCESD membership

The three leaders of the main political parties addressed the triennial general conference of Forum union confederation, which reconfirmed John Bencini as president.

Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi stressed that Forum must become a member of Malta Council for Economic and Social Development (MCESD) as soon as possible since the union has been officially recognised by the European Trade Union Council (ETUC).

Gonzi confirmed that the government will table a draft law to amend the current legislation in order to grant Forum full membership on MCESD, during parliament's first session after the Easter recess.

The Prime Minister noted that since the union's last triennial conference held in 2009, many things have happened and the world has gone through radical changes and a number of events have changed the economic and political scenario.

He said "Together we must toil to create jobs to strengthen our economy. In other countries this is not happening, however if we are united on this front we can make it." He also thanked employers who Gonzi said are as important as trade unions in job generation.

Gonzi added "I would like to express my genuine appreciation to all unions for their efforts in the past four years which have been difficult. Unions and the government have the same interest in protecting the jobs of all workers in both the public and private sector."

He said that in spite of occasional disagreements, the government saved 5,000 jobs thanks to the cooperation of all unions.

Gonzi also warned against the dangers of populism which might come at the cost of jobs. He said that this warning does not only apply to political parties but also to unions.

The Prime Minister also underlined the importance of the introduction of family friendly measures to encourage women to participate in the workforce and encouraged the private sector to follow suit and introduce similar measures.

He reiterated the significance of the "revolutionary" legal notice to protect employees and combat precarious employment.  

In his speech, the leader of the Opposition, Joseph Muscat noted three distinctive characteristics of Forum.

"Forum gathers categories of workers in services sector, such as travelling and child and elderly care. This is the backbone of the confederation and this means the union will keep growing in years to come," Muscat said.

He said that another characteristic of Forum which sets it apart from other unions, is that the main employer of the union's members is the state. Muscat said this means that the union is in constant direct contact with the government.

"The third distinct factor of Forum is that the majority of its members are female workers. This gives the union a great opportunity to be a protagonist in encouraging women to enter the labour force," Muscat said.

He augured that Forum joins MCESD and said "I am happy to note that a broad consensus exists on Forum's participation in MCESD."

He also said that the Opposition will make sure that the laws are changed to ensure that Forum can become a full member of MCESD as soon as parliament reconvenes.

Alternattiva Demokratika Chairperson Michael Briguglio also addressed the conference of the Forum trade union.

In his address, Briguglio reaffirmed AD's total support of Forum's request to join the MCESD.

Briguglio added that class differences are growing in a context of economic crisis and austerity measures, and called for policies which can help improve workers' quality of life.

"An updated methodology should replace the current one on which COLA is based.  AD has also been calling for an increase in the minimum wage and for a revision in the way it is calculated. We are glad that apart from other progressive organisations and unions, Caritas is also putting forward this demand".

"Another major issue which is increasingly characterising employment in Malta is precariousness.  Government should set the example by banning public service contracts based on unacceptable conditions," Briguglio said.

He added that AD also believes that gender equality should be stepped up in the labour market and that trade unions should step up activism for groups facing inequalities, such as persons with disability, immigrants, ex-prisoners, and ageing workers.

Briguglio called for policies which generate green jobs, adding that the state has a vital role to play in ensuring more just and sustainable social, economic and environmental policies which effect workers' job conditions and quality of life.

"As we are seeing in the field of energy, for example, weak governance and lack of foresight is resulting in increased hardships on workers".

Briguglio appealed to trade unions "to act on the basis of working class interests, and not on partisan tribalism, and to step-up alliance building at national, European and global levels, not only with fellow trade-unions, but also with other movements, in the struggle for a social, ecological and sustainable Europe".