MCESD ready for 'new phase' - PM

It was time for the Malta Council for Economic and Social Development to enter "a new phase", the Prime Minister said yesterday.

The government was prepared to discuss this matter to build on the MCESD and make it better.

Speaking at the general conference of the Union Haddiema Maghqudin, where a paper by John C. Grech dealt specifically with the topic, Dr Gonzi welcomed the proposals and thanked the union for bringing this and other topics to the agenda.

Dr Grech suggested the MCSED should be changed into a decision making body in addition to being a consultative one.

He completely dismissed the proposal by the General Workers' Union made on Tuesday to remove the government from the MCESD as this would reduce it to "a talking shop between employers and employees."

Underlining the fact that it was a trade union that spurred Dr Grech's paper, the Prime Minister said: "This is really a breath of fresh air for the union to commission outsiders to speak specifically about important national issues.

"Without strikes and fighting, we introduced European standards for workers. The UHM was one of the organisations that understood the opportunities EU membership was going to give. The EU has set several targets that we translated into advantages."

The government understood very well the need for social dialogue and not only encouraged it but also practised it. The country's targets were discussed at MCSED. Even the surcharge issue was discussed at the council and the government had changed its position following the discussion.

"There are no problems the government can solve alone. We have to work together. We have to listen and then genuinely decide what's good for the country.

"One can be unpopular because of this, but in time, results will be achieved and make the country a brighter jewel than it is," Dr Gonzi said.

Opposition leader Alfred Sant too spoke about "a structure where all social partners meet, discuss their aspirations and agree on common strategy between themselves.

"Different social groups do not necessarily have to be at loggerheads. Everyone should share in both burdens and dividends," he said.

Dr Sant argued that discussions at the MCESD should not only take place when the government was trying to "sell" its budget to the social partners.

"We need a long-term plan. The MLP has been preparing for the past two years, to push tourism, manufacture, agriculture and commerce.

"The MLP will be seeking the co-operation of all constituted bodies, including the UHM which merits "privileged recognition," Dr Sant said. UHM secretary general Gejtu Vella said solutions for the country could be discussed at the MCESD.

"We do not want the government deciding arbitrarily on its own. But organisations in the MCESD should start declaring where they agree, where they differ and where they have reservations.

"We need to start having clear positions, not wishy-washy statements. Ireland has just reached another social pact for the next 10 years.

"A third of the Irish unions did not agree, but they still have a plan, because in democracy, after taking a vote, it's what the majority says that holds," he said.

Mr Vella said that listening to the different papers presented at the conference should make one realise there were many things in common but still organisations failed to work together.

"Changing perspectives can sometimes help us see the other side. Sometimes we take a position, which we only change with the passage of time, but we'd have wasted years.

"Who is keeping us back from getting together to make a success," he asked.

"We are the movement of change in the country. We can make the difference so that there will be change for the better," he said.

Mr Vella said it would be a mistake for the union to get lost in detail.

He criticised the Public Broadcasting Services for not giving coverage or prominence to position papers the union issued from time to time.

"It's not only politicians who should be making news," he said.

Mr Vella said there was another anomaly that had to be addressed, and this was when the Ombudsman upheld complaints by workers, but the government failed to implement the Ombudsman's recommendation.

When injustices against workers were committed, one should see who did them and hold them responsible rather than paying from people's coffers for it.

Mr Vella said the same should happen where the Auditor General highlighted shortcomings.

People should be made accountable and those committing errors or blunders should pay for them.