Dockers' agreement held as model

The International Dockworkers' Council (IDC), which represents dockers' unions from around the world, wants to use Malta's port reform agreement between the government and the Docker's Union as a model for other countries, union president Joe Saliba said.

He told MEP Simon Busuttil during a meeting at the union's offices in Marsa that the agreement, which had been unanimously approved by members, retained in full the principle that port work would continue to be carried out solely by licensed port workers.

Mr Saliba thanked Dr Busuttil for his continuous support of the port workers' cause in European institutions, especially during the debate on the Market Services Directive. He said the union was keeping its eyes open on all developments relating to port work within the Commission. "We will again request your support to help us retain what we have. We are convinced you will continue to help us," he told Dr Busuttil.

Dr Busuttil congratulated the union for the role it played during the port reform negotiations. The Nationalist government, he said, had been helping port workers even before EU membership, during the accession negotiations.

"We have shown you what we believe in not just verbally but through action, before we joined the EU. New difficulties developed after membership through the Market Services Directive and you again found us behind you voting against this proposal."

The MEP said there was no European law governing port workers and towards the end of last year the European Commission had issued a document on ports in Europe. The proposals were not of a legislative nature but guidelines.

Things could continue to develop and it was important that both sides kept an open mind in addressing the issues, Dr Busuttil said, promising the union his cooperation.