Updated | Unions accuse minister of failing to provide them with EU funds

Unions from the confederation of Maltese unions Forum have accused the government of preventing them from availing themselves of European Union social cohesion funds, for their participation in European fora.

In a statement, Forum accused the government of "shirking its responsibility" towards trade unions by not honouring commitments for funds for unions to take part in European policy discussions overseas, after MEUSAC's budget was cut down.

"These funds are direly needed so that unions can participate and contribute in various institutions. Our participation in European for a is essential so we are being deprived from having an active role in the development of European policies."

Forum said the government could not expect unions to contribute towards the welfare of the country in European fora without having any access to these funds.

"The Nationalist government had always honoured its financial responsibilities to all unions, Forum included, by providing such funds on an annual basis. As Opposition leader, Joseph Muscat had never indicated that such funds were to cease," Forum said.

Forum said the funds fall under the responsibility of social dialogue and civil liberties minister Helena Dalli. "She is either intentionally or unwittingly confusing the pre-accession funds with the social cohesion funds," Forum said. "We cannot accept her comments that the Malta-EU Steering Action Committee's budget has been reduced, leaving the government unable to honour its commitments. After all, the 2013 budget was also scrutinized by the Labour government and was thereafter approved. The responsibility now falls solely under the government to provide such funds to the unions.

"With all its financial restraints, the Nationalist government always honoured its financial obligations to assist unions. Forum now expects Labour will do likewise. It's Dalli's responsibility to see that all financial obligations are met through the exercise of her ministerial portfolio."

In a reaction, the social dialogue ministry said the social cohesion funds managed by MEUSAC were not being administered properly, as confirmed in a 2008 report by the National Audit Office on the way MEUSAC's predecessor - Forum Malta fl-Ewropa - was managing them.

"MEUSAC had no guidelines on how to administer this fund. These very funds were reduced the more MEUSAC's operational budget increased: in 2012, the budgetary vote was cut by 18%, and then by 27% in 2013. In fact, in 2012 MEUSAC was unable to issue a call for NGOs and unions to submit applications for social cohesion funds."

The ministry said that since 2008, 87 projects from NGO were funded through €6 million through MEUSAC, apart from €11.5 million for local council projects. "Government is committed to strengthen MEUSAC so that more organizations benefit from EU funds."