Two unions distance themselves from talks

Cracks within the Confederation of Maltese Trade Unions over the elusive social pact became more apparent yesterday when two of its member unions issued their own statements that clearly showed divergences from the stand taken by the Union Haddiema Maghqudin, another CMTU member.

The UHM, which was involved directly in talks over the pact along with the CMTU, has expressed bitter disappointment that agreement on a proposed pact was not reached and has gone as far as blaming the General Workers' Union.

But the Malta Union of Teachers yesterday said it felt it could not be part of any decisions taken in the forthcoming budget that stem from the discussions based on the proposed social pact document.

It said it had not been able to contribute to the discussion on the pact as although it had made a request to be part of the Malta Council for Economic and Social Development, where the talks took place, it did not have a "direct voice there".

"The social pact document was only given to the MUT 24 hours before it was to be discussed and important decisions taken," the MUT said.

It said it wanted to distance itself from any measures that could impinge on workers' conditions that might be announced in the budget.

The Malta Union of Bank Employees also said it was never allowed to participate in discussions on the social pact.

The document, presented to it a day before it was due to be discussed, contained some measures that should be implemented without further delay but others that need "more thought and further discussion", the MUBE said.

The union warned that the government should be careful not to implement any measures that would have adverse effects on productive sectors.

The MUBE expressed regret over the lack of agreement and hoped discussions would continue. It said the burdens of the deficit should be shouldered "responsibly, seriously and in a balanced manner".