MCESD tries to reinvent itself

The social partners forming part of the Malta Council for Economic and Social Development yesterday held a one-off marathon session seeking ways to make the council more effective and shake off its reputation of a mere talking shop.

Joseph F.X. Zahra, who chairs the National Euro Changeover Committee, was appointed external rapporteur and will draw up a report after hearing the constituted bodies' views and complaints.

"It was a very productive meeting," MCESD chairman Victor Scicluna told The Times after the eight-hour meeting, without going into detail.

He said a number of areas for improvement were identified and there was a lot of convergence between the partners. "We now look forward to the report."

Among other things, the constituted bodies agreed on the need to activate the existing working groups and to have more technical support.

Social partners contacted after the meeting were reluctant to comment or say whether they were optimistic of reaching a consensus.

However, one of them said: "Everyone put their cards on the table. If we don't reach any agreement at this stage, then we might as well put the MCESD to bed - for good."

Yesterday's meeting came about as a result of a council decision after the social partners questioned the MCESD's effectiveness.

The issue came to the fore in 2004 when lengthy talks on a proposed social pact ended in stalemate.

As a result, the government went ahead with its own measures to boost the country's competitiveness, enacting a controversial law disallowing extra days off for holidays falling on weekends.

The council comprises trade unions, employers' organisations and the government and representativs of civil society.

Its aims are to promote social dialogue and consensus among the social partners and to submit recommendations to the government on national economic and social issues.