GWU chief warns against euro inflation

The general secretary of the General Workers' Union, Tony Zarb has warned against an explosion in prices as Malta prepares to introduce the European currency.

Malta should take the cue and prevent the experiences of countries like Italy, which faced inflation as retailers switched from the lira to the euro, Mr Zarb said.

Mr Zarb, who was confirmed in office by a big majority at the union's national congress last week, was addressing a one-day seminar on the theme Making Sense Of Europe held at the Dolmen Hotel, in Bugibba.

Mr Zarb steered clear of controversial comments and developments that gripped the union recently, focusing instead on the GWU's efforts to make the best of EU membership.

The other trade unions have taken exception to comments made over the past days by Opposition Leader Alfred Sant that the GWU would remain a "privileged" partner in a future Labour government.

Yet, in what appears to be an attempt to bridge the gap with the other unions, Mr Zarb said it was high time for all the unions to pool their resources and open a representative office in Brussels, similar to the employers'.

He also called on the government to treat unions the same way as employers and to increase their annual budget allocation.

While the government was committed to cut its deficit below three per cent of GDP, Mr Zarb insisted that trade unions had a duty to ensure that such a target is not reached by putting additional burdens on workers and pensioners. At the same time, workers were rightly demanding from the government what they had been promised before the EU referendum, Mr Zarb said.

On the other hand, employers had a duty to fulfil their obligations and Mr Zarb said some companies were still reluctant to introduce health and safety measures.

Compared to EU countries, certain sectors were still lagging behind, he warned, adding that the shortage of translators showed that the country was not prepared for EU membership. He did not specify which sectors needed to be boosted.

The GWU, Mr Zarb said, would continue working with its international partners to continue opposing an EU directive that would threaten the livelihood of port workers.