Unions bemoan ‘second-class’ treatment

The President of the Malta Unions Forum (FOR.UM), Paul Pace, has lashed out at government for the ‘second-class treatment’ which he claimed the forum was receiving from government.

Pace claimed that the eleven unions which formed part of the body - which collectively represent more than 12,000 workers - were being discriminated against in a ‘blatant’ fashion.

“Whilst we appreciate government’s efforts to stamp out any discrimination based on sex, gender and beliefs, it laments the discriminatory behaviour it is showing towards the different unions,” Pace said, adding that this was despite government’s continued promises of equality.

Pace said that certain concerns brought forward by a number of unions, namely the Occupational Health and Safety Authority (OHSA), the International Labour Organisation (ILO), as well as the Gozo Regional Committee (GRC), were not being given their due importance.

“We are receiving second-class recognition from government,” he said.

Pace also claimed that the FOR.UM was invited by government to attend a recent conference but their invitation was only extended for one week, compared to the three-week period extended to other organisations such as the Malta Employers Association (MEA) and the General Workers Union (GWU).

“Although these associations have every right to attend such conferences, we feel that we are being unfairly excluded.”

Pace said that for this reason, the FOR.UM will be requesting an ‘urgent meeting’ with the Prime Minister to resolve the matter.