Unions forum presses to join MCESD

A number of unions, members of the umbrella organisation Forum Unions Maltin yesterday presented a judicial protest against the Prime Minister, urging him to take the necessary steps to ensure that the unions are represented in the Malta Council for Economic and Social Development.

Forum Unions Maltin is made up of the Malta Union of Midwives and Nurses, Union Periti u Inginiera fis-Servizz Pubbliku, University of Malta Staff Association, Union Professjonisti Awtorita tal-Ippjanar, Union Haddiema Bank Centrali, the Airline Pilots Association and the Union of Cabin Crew.

The unions are arguing that they have made representations to government to be included within the MCESD to be able to represent their members' interests, but their claim has not been entertained. The MCESD, their argument goes, is made up of a number of representatives, nine of whom are nominated from the General Workers' Union, the Union Haddiema Maghqudin, Confederation of Maltese Trade Unions, Malta Employers' Association, Malta Chamber of Commerce, Malta Hotels and Restaurants Association and the General Retailers and Traders' Union.

"There is a disparity between employers' representatives, who outnumber representatives of trade unions. In addition, the UHM is represented on its own and also forms part of the CMTU, while the forum is left out of the equation," the unions said.

The unions argued they had a right to form part of the MCESD.

They called on the Prime Minister to take the necessary steps to include them in the council and reserved the right to take legal action about the matter.