More rights in the EU

The subject of a programme on RTK last Wednesday was the additional rights which the Maltese people have acquired since Malta joined the EU. The participants were Vince Farrugia of the GRTU and Dr Roderick Pace, chairman of the European Movement. In the chair was Dr Carmen Sammut.

As a result of EU membership, the Maltese have acquired new rights, such as higher environmental standards, more consumer rights, stricter health and safety regulations in the work place, free movement for workers and students, and a wider choice of goods and services.

Both Mr Farrugia and Dr Pace saw the introduction of the euro as a step in the right direction, though Mr Farrugia argued convincingly against bringing forward the date for the introduction of dual pricing - in euros as well as in Maltese lire - as this would add to the burdens on enterprises.

It is time also that Malta flung open its doors to low cost airlines not only to ensure that more tourists visit the islands but also to give the Maltese people more freedom to travel to Europe at reasonable rates.

The speakers argued that EU law is based on rights but it is the citizens who must speak out for these rights. Consumer societies, for example have to become more organised to ensure that consumer rights are respected.

Trade unions must make their members more aware of the rights that the EU gives them and they must struggle to attain them. In short the organisations of civil society, the constituted bodies, the social partners and associations must know what rights EU law gives the citizens whose interest they represent and then fight for them tooth and nail to ensure that they are enjoyed in practice.

When such rights are denied, citizens can seek redress in the local courts or other bodies established to arbitrate in such situations. A number of national regulatory authorities and commissions have been set up to act as independent arbitrators between the rights of service or good providers and the consumer.

However, to carry out their missions properly these authorities must clearly understand what their role is. They also need to have the capacity to investigate and act. It is a pity that in many cases these regulatory authorities are still behaving like government departments. Sometimes they lack the capacity, human resources and the means to act.

It is only when such national remedies fail that citizens can go straight to the EU institutions. Their national associations and the links these develop with their European counterparts become essential.