GRTU budget comments lead to two resignations

Two members of executive council of the Chamber for Small and Medium Sized Enterprises - GRTU, Reuben Buttigieg and Hubert Agius, have resigned saying their views on the budget were not sought by their organisation.

The GRTU said their council posts have now been filled through the appointment of Mark Saliba and Charles Borg.

In a statement announcing the changes in the council, the GRTU said the outgoing members had resigned because they felt the GRTU's council was not representative enough of their views.

The GRTU said any council functioned according to the will of the majority in full respect of the views of the minority. This was the case with the GRTU's council when, on October 18, councillors attending a meeting analysed the budget and agreed with the statement issued.

The GRTU said it regretted to note that those harbouring views that were in a minority chose the easy way out and resigned.

Mr Buttigieg said he felt he was no longer in a position to defend and promote the interests of small and medium enterprises and the self-employed. In particular, he added, he felt that the voice of the councillors was not being sought and heeded.

He said the GRTU's statement on the budget was issued without the GRTU hearing and discussing the views of all the councillors.

In a joint statement, Mr Buttigieg and Mr Agius said that apart from the budget issue, there had been "various occasions" when action was taken without the council being informed in advance or when it was allowed to discuss the subject at issue.