Ray of hope in social partners talks

Discussions between the social partners at the Malta Council for Economic and Social Development are expected to continue today after Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi yesterday again met unions and employers' bodies separately in a bid to bridge differences over ways to improve the country's competitiveness.

Sources said some progress was registered in the long-running talks yesterday and expressed hope that, subject to good will being shown, agreement on the issue may be reached over the next couple of days.

Dr Gonzi had decided to hold meetings with the two sides before the social partners meet again within the MCESD after talks over proposals tabled by the unions stalled last week.

The unions met yesterday morning to reassess their proposals.

The two sides had already held separate meetings with Dr Gonzi on Monday.

The unions went into yesterday's meeting, held at Castille, at 4 p.m. and emerged at 8 p.m. They were followed by the employers.

General Workers' Union general secretary Tony Zarb said the Prime Minister was expected to get back to the unions and that further discussions were likely.

He refused to comment on what had been discussed in the meeting.

The government has pledged to go ahead with a controversial measure to reduce the number of public holidays should an agreement between the social partners not be reached.