Social partners on the brink of reaching minimum wage agreement

Social partners are on the brink of reaching a historic agreement for an increase in the national minimum wage. 

Addressing a conference organised by the GWU and Forum Unions Maltin, Prime Minister Joseph Muscat said that negotiations are in their final stretch and that it is now only a matter of ironing out the small details.

He praised the social partners, and in particular Malta Employers’ Association director Joe Farrugia - who he said acted as a "referee" throughout the negotiations - seeking convergence between employers' associations and trade unions.

However, he warned social partners that they must all be prepared to compromise on some of their demands if a deal was to be agreed on.

"If we are going to reach an agreement, then everyone must be ready to swallow a bit of pride," he said. "Every social partner is now fighting for that extra comma and extra full stop, but they must realise that there will either be a deal or there won't be."

Without giving details on what the planned minimum wage rise will look like, Muscat said that it will be a "historic achievement that will shift the country's foundations towards a model of sustainable social progress."