Heavier burden on workers - GWU

The General Workers' Union said the budget for 2005 favoured employers and increased the burden on workers.

"The government has reduced four days of vacation leave for workers, which is two more days than what the employers had asked for," the union said.

The GWU said burdens on workers were bound to increase because the Lm1.75 per week given by the government as a cost of living adjustment would be eaten away by more than 50 per cent, according to a rough estimate.

The union said the surcharge on electricity and water bills and the 5c increase in public transport fares would eat away the biggest portion.

"Nobody can say that workers stand to gain from the budget," the union said.

The GWU noted that the government intended to tackle tax evasion and encourage workers' training. These were two measures which the union had insisted on during talks on the social pact at the Malta Council for Economic and Social Development. The union's national council is expected to meet within the next two days to discuss the budget. The GWU's official position will be announced after the council meeting.