Thousands protest against cut in public holidays

Thousands yesterday responded to a call from several unions to join a rally organised by the General Workers' Union to protest against the government's plan to cut the number of public holidays.

The protestors thronged Republic Street, in Valletta, blew whistles and carried placards asking the government to stop and question its social conscience.

Others carried plastic bags with price tags of 7c and 25c, a clear message against the latest eco-tax which has pushed up the price of these products.

Backing the GWU in yesterday's march were the Malta Union of Bank Employees; UPSIP, the union representing architects and engineers within the civil service; the Airline Pilots Association; the Malta Union of Midwives and Nurses; the Union Haddiema Bank Centrali; the Cabin Crew Union and the Malta Union of Teachers.

Addressing the protestors, the union leaders pledged to call more street protests if the government persisted in implementing its decision without reaching agreement with the unions.

The government had initially intended to stop additional vacation leave being granted when holidays fell on weekends but following unions' objections that this would impinge on collective agreements it now plans to amend the law so that weekend public holidays would no longer be considered as such.

Following their address, the union leaders went to Parliament and gave a copy of a letter to the Prime Minister, Lawrence Gonzi, in which they called on Parliament to find solutions to the country's predicament without eroding the workers' standard of living.

Dr Gonzi welcomed the representatives into his office and told them that as leaders they too experienced moments when they had to make a decision. This was what the government would be doing unless agreement between the social partners over the matter was reached.

He reiterated that the government was open to suggestions that would work, adding he was confident that if the will existed, a way would be found.

He appealed to the unions to come forward with tangible proposals and committed himself to changing the government's present stance at any time if the unions found a solution.

The union representatives then presented a copy of their letter to Opposition Leader Alfred Sant. The letter calls on the opposition to act as an alternative government, present its proposals and join the bid to find solutions.

Dr Sant said the MLP would continue to update its policies and to speak to constituted bodies. The country, he said, did need to address the issue of competitiveness but he argued that it could not be solved with single measures but by way of a thorough plan.

A meeting between social partners is expected to be held tomorrow at the Finance Ministry in Valletta.