PM meets unions on economic situation

Leaders of the major trade unions yesterday held private meetings with Prime Minister Eddie Fenech Adami on the state of the economy and the employment situation.

Dr Fenech Adami, accompanied by Deputy Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi and Education Minister Louis Galea, had separate meetings with the General Workers' Union, the Union Haddiema Maghqudin and the Confederation of Malta Trade Unions at Auberge de Castille, in Valletta.

GWU general secretary Tony Zarb said the union had expressed its concern over the level of unemployment.

He said the union had insisted on the need to generate more jobs. The union told the prime minister that, whenever necessary, it was speaking to foreign investors to persuade them not to abandon their investment plans in Malta.

Mr Zarb said the union also insisted on the need to reduce the level of bureaucracy in the country.

UHM general secretary Gejtu Vella, whose union was the second to meet the prime minister, said the UHM had presented a working document prepared by the European Trade Union Council which tackled the issue of reviving the European economy. Mr Vella said the report was also presented to the EU Irish presidency by the ETUC.

"We spoke about the need to strengthen the Malta Council for Economic and Social Development. We insisted that the only way forward for economic revival and employment growth is for all social partners to join forces and reach a social pact."

CMTU president Alfred Buhagiar said the union discussed the economic situation. "We spoke about the need for the MCESD to take up the issue of the economic and unemployment situation in the country."

He said that while it was crucial for the country to address the economic challenges ahead "it is equally important not to create unnecessary uncertainty or alarm".

Dr Fenech Adami is expected to meet the employers' associations in the coming days.