Monday, 28th April 2008 - 18:55CET
Falzon insists social partners need to work together
MLP leadership contender Michael Falzon and the Union Ħaddiema Maqgħudin agreed this afternoon on the need to work together and to address the issue of occupational health and safety.
During a visit to the UHM, Dr Falzon insisted that political parties, both in government and in opposition, should have good relations with all the trade unions even if, traditionally, this has not been the case and the scenario was characterised by different relations with different unions.
It was not a matter of choice, but of need, Dr Falzon stressed, adding that modern society required that its realities and challenges were faced together byt he social partners.
Among these was the issue of inflation and the cost of living.
Politicians, unions, workers and stakeholders needed to look at holistic solutions together as social partners, he said, stressing on “holistic” in terms of taking into account their effects on various aspects of society and the economy.
In view of Workers’ Day on Thursday, Dr Falzon also addressed the issue of occupational health and safety, which was a current theme even in Malta, with the rate of accidents at the workplace being relatively high every year.
He said Malta needed to work much harder on two levels: As a full member of the EU, it had to make a greater effort to truly be like a European country when it came to occupational health and safety; while the problem of lack of enforcement had to be addressed.
Laws on the matter were plenty, but the Occupational Health and Safety Authority was lacking human and financial resources, with around 10 inspectors for a workforce of 140,000.
In reaction, UĦM general secretary Gejtu Vella expressed his agreement with Dr Falzon’s comments, saying: “Let us learn how to work together. If this happens, the country’s potential would be developed for the benefit of everyone.”
Cost of living and increases in price movements were a reality that had to be dealt with, but decisions were not easy, he admitted, suggesting that “we need to recognise our own problems and those we import.
“Let us see how to eliminate those we care creating for ourselves and how to address the problems we import.”
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Comments
Elected both on the two contrasting districts of the 2nd and the 10th gives a fairly clear indication what kind of message the public opinion is conveying. The MLP increased two seats on said districts respectively. Michael Falzon is a real 'Laburist' born and bred in a labour family, he understands the needs and the feelings of the workers whether they toil by brawn or brains.
MLP Deputy Leader Michael Falzon has the right credentials and has vast, first hand experience to lead and successfully develop the Malta Labour Party and at the same time hold the office of Leader of the Oppostion. One of his slogans at the Luxol meetings and elsewhere was 'Labour United', this is a priority and uppermost on his mind, this hasn't gone unnoticed neither has his impeccable, natural example at the vote counting hall in Naxxar; when the burden of defeat solely rested upon his shoulders he caught the bull by the horns. Dr. Falzon was the first to initiate a hug and offer the hand of a gentlemen to his political foes in conceding the recent electoral defeat. Dr. Falzon does not believe and neither does he engage in political confrontation. This is what Malta needs! This is the hallmark of a real politician and these are some of the Indispensable qualities of a real Leader.
Dr. Michael Falzon has the guts to voice a different opinion and at the same has the courage and foresight to remain faithfully loyal with those he labour with. Michael Falzon does not mince his words, he comes to the point and in most instances calls a spade a spade. Dr. Falzon is a versatile and reliable front liner who has the ability to move down the ranks and offer back-up support. When the going gets tough, Dr. Michael Falzon gets going!
As for the social partners, government, employers and unions, have been working together for many years now, with the exception of the GWU. The biggest mistake that the GWU did was when it walked out of the MCESD and ruined all the hard work done on the Social Pact which could have been beneficial for all.