The letter published on January 22 by Michael Brigulio made a number of statements which need a factual response.

Mr Brigulio says that "Malta also needs serious laws and enforcement which guarantee the rights and job conditions of various categories of workers". Even a cursory look at the body of our labour legislation will make it clear that the legal framework is well in place. This is not to say that certain improvements are not needed, of course, and certainly the Department of Industrial and Employment Relations could do with strengthening, though it is a fact that the Department already carries out its role as effectively as its resources allow.

Mr Brigulio goes on to say that "various workers such as part-timers, workers on contract, casual workers and workers who are forced to register as self-employed should benefit from the same rights as full-timers on a pro-rata basis". Again, the law already provides for this.

"A new government should also enhance industrial democracy, so that all workers would have the right to join a trade union and to carry out industrial action", Mr Brigulio goes on. I am somewhat confused by this statement, as the right to join a trade union has been enshrined in the law, from the Constitution down, for decades. The right to take industrial action, except in very limited circumstances and for a very small category of workers, is also not subject to discussion, always provided it is exercised in accordance with the law.