UHM to propose MCESD reform

Strengthening the Malta Council for Economic and Social Development is a key issue for the Union Haddiema Maghqudin and it has commissioned a specific paper about it for its general conference which starts tomorrow.

The paper is by John C. Grech and is called Achieving Sustainable Economic Growth - The Need For Stronger Social Dialogue.

Speaking to The Times, UHM secretary general Gejtu Vella said his union was "once again leading the way."

"At a general conference six years ago we had discussed the impacts of EU membership and had published a report entitled The Cost Of Non-Europe. In the report we spoke about positive and negative aspects. It was not a report speaking in terms of black and white but there were all shades of grey too," Mr Vella said.

Three years ago, the UHM had discussed a social pact for Malta.

"The concept was discussed at MCESD level, but was torpedoed at the 11th hour. Those who torpedoed it were either short sighted or failed to understand that a social pact is what a country needs to make the leap we need to make.

"Poland is embarking on a debate on the future of social pact. In Ireland, the social pact worked so well that they have made another one lasting until 2016. In Malta we failed, but not because of us.

"Political parties, including the Malta Labour Party, as well as employers' associations are now talking about a social pact.

"This year, the UHM continues to work. We are leaders and catalysts. We are not in the habit of working in a hiccup mode, waiting for things to crop up, but rather try to set the agenda. Others, no doubt, will follow and try to ride on the bandwagon.

"The reform of the MCESD is something we believe strongly in. The union's former president, Salvinu Spiteri used to speak about structured social dialogue and former finance minister John Dalli had set up the MCED. This changed into the MCESD under Lawrence Gonzi. The law setting up the MCESD states this is a consultative body, but this should not be interpreted that there is no accountability.

"The UHM has a clear position on any position discussed within the MCESD, and so should every organisation sitting on it. Wishy-washy, ambivalent statements have no place in the MCSED. After discussion, there should be a recommendation stating who agrees and who does not and then it's up to government to decide. That's one of the ways the MCESD needs to change.

"When we fielded the idea of a social pact in Malta, we shouldered our responsibility and said the MLP should form part of the discussions on the social pact and the government had agreed with this.

"After adopting the report at the conference, we will be telling political parties what the UHM will be expecting from them. The country can make great leaps forward if everyone pulls at the rope from the same end," he said.

The other papers that will be discussed at the UHM's conference are: Social Justice: A New Agenda? by David Spiteri Gingell; Together Is Better - The Case For Worker Co-Ops And Co-Operative Ways Of Doing Business, by John Mallia; The Maltese Economy Post EU Membership: The Way Forward, by Karl Montfort and Stefano Mallia and Sustainable Development And Economic Growth In Malta by Lino Briguglio.

The papers can be seen at UHM's website www.uhm.org.mt.