Further condemnation has poured in after Investments Minister Austin Gatt questioned the effectiveness of the Malta Council for Economic and Social Development last Saturday.

This time round, it was the turn of the General Workers' Union and the Confederation of Malta Trade Unions to register their disapproval of the minister's comment.

On its part, the GWU called on the Prime Minister to intervene in the matter as it accused Dr Gatt of ruining the concept of social partners.

"If Dr Gonzi does not disassociate himself from Dr Gatt's behaviour, he would be an accomplice," the GWU said in a statement.

The union said it intended to inform the EU's social economic committee about the incident, urging Dr Gatt to apologise to the social partners.

The CMTU said the MCESD was giving a valid and essential contribution to the country.

The confederation criticised Dr Gatt for misinterpreting its stand in the light of the oil price crisis. By insisting that the oil burden should be spread fairly across the board it had not meant that it should be shifted on to the industry, the CMTU said.

The CMTU was, after all, at the forefront last year to try and conclude the discussions on the Social Pact.

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