With reference to the editorial New Efforts To Set Up A TUC, the Confederation of Malta Trade Unions wishes to state that steps that might lead to the setting up of a trades union council have been taken several times and, for fairness' sake, one has to mention the effort of my predecessor, the late Salvino Spiteri.

On behalf of the CMTU, he had welcomed any initiative for the setting up of a TUC but unfortunately the relations between trade union blocs did not contribute to the realisation of this idea for the welfare of all workers.

We also point out that the first meeting between trade unions to reach this goal has nothing to do with the discussions being held at MCESD level for the possibility of drawing up a social pact.

It is a fact that by having a TUC the trade unions would be strengthened in all dealings among themselves, the employers and the government of the day.

A TUC must be built first and foremost on the trust between the unions, the respect of freedom for the workers to choose a trade union of their own and lastly be built on a sound basis of trade union values for the future at all times.

That is the reason why the unions present at the meeting agreed that, as a first step, a code of ethics has to be established.

For correctness' sake, John Monks visited Malta some months ago as the general secretary of the European Trades Union Confederation, in which the CMTU and the GWU are members.

During Mr Monks' visit a working document was proposed which all unions have agreed to discuss in the coming months, hopefully reaching agreement. Mr Monks has also promised his personal help and that of the ETUC.

After Malta joined the European Union on May 1, 2004, the CMTU, its affiliates and the GWU are working together in various institutions at the European Union level in the interest of Maltese workers.