UHM groups party leaders to present its proposals

The UHM this afternoon grouped the party leaders to explain its proposals for the general elections.

Union general secretary Gejtu Vella told Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi, Opposition leader Alfred Sant, AD leader Harry Vassallo and AN deputy leader Anglu Xuereb that the union had prepared a wide-ranging memorandum covering all aspects of society.

The union is proposing, among other things, that a Consumer Affairs' Authority should be set up to effectively perform the role of protecting and informing consumers.

The union is also seeking more efficiency and coordination by the other regulatory authorities and the creation of a new body grouping the social partners, MEPs and other interested parties to discuss EU-related issues.

Mr Vella said the UHM was calling for the Health and Safety Authority to be better resourced and for the Industrial Relations Act to be kept under review.

The union was also seeking a gradual reduction of income tax.

The memorandum also calls for consensus on education policies and for greater importance to be given to primary health care.

Mr Xuereb said he saw the need for flexitime, especially in the tourism sector because of seasonality issues. He said Azzjoni Nazzjoni backed ideas to improve workers' conditions.

Dr Vassallo said he was disappointed that many of the UHM's ideas had not been implemented already and said he was concerned that having either of the big parties in government without a coalition with AD would not improve the situation.

Dr Sant said many of the proposals could also be found in Labour's plan for a new beginning. Labour, he said, would be committed to good governance and economic and social policies which were followed in tandem so that living standards could rise.

Dr Gonzi said the PN's tax cuts proposals were aimed at stimulating growth and leaving more money in the workers' pockets. Many of the ideas the UHM was proposing were already being worked upon or were being considered for the PN's programme.