Nestor Laiviera
UĦM will not allow government to simulate public dialogue
The president of the World Organisation of Workers (WOW), Roel Rotshuizen criticised the way the government consulted the social partners on the new energy rates only after it had tabled the proposals.
Mr Rotshuizen insisted during a press conference at the offices of the Union Ħaddiema Magħqudin that without mutual respect there can be no meaningful social dialogue.
The UĦM went a step further, saying that it would not allow the government to use social dialogue as a "make-believe" or "simulation exercise". It criticised the government for tabling the utility tariffs at the Malta Council for Economic and Social Development at "the eleventh hour".
The new rates, announced on October 29, came under heavy fire from the social partners, worried about the financial burden that both workers and businesses will have to carry. The government was criticised for the way it pushed ahead with the tariffs despite the chorus of disapproval by many quarters.
During the press conference, held as the WOW world congress takes place in Malta, Mr Rotshuizen said that the proper way of approaching social dialogue is to "bring up the problem first and discuss it", stressing that this should not be done in an arrogant way.
It is clear, UĦM general secretary Gejtu Vella said, that when the social partners propose a common solution to a problem it has a better chance of succeeding both because the course of action has more support and also because the methods being suggested are more realistic.
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Jeremy J Camilleri
Nov 8th 2008, 15:55
Spoken is just that...words....
Under a Labour administration, they did not speak, thay acted...remember the Freeport?
Was that partisan dear J Busuttil?...
As for the unjust bills under a Labour Government, they were never introduced, thanks in part, to the GWU
J Busuttil
Nov 8th 2008, 09:45
Gejtu Vella and the UHM have already spoken on various occasions about the budget and utility tariffs and what is black he called black and what is white he called white . On the contrary when Labour increased the utility tariffs the GWU only commissioned a report which was never published. Labour has done the workers no good by organising a demonstration because the issue of utility tariffs has been drawn in a party partisan issue.
l Galea
Nov 7th 2008, 23:39
Charles Camilleri
That only shows an arrogant Government
Jeremy J Camilleri
Nov 7th 2008, 18:00
Charles Camilleri is right.....A strike at the freeport might be more effective than UHM joining the protests...
X tahseb Charles?
Charles Camilleri
Nov 7th 2008, 17:22
@Stavros Stellini Allow me to correct your last paragraph.' I hope that the Govt will react to the Labourites' voice'
Charles Camilleri
Nov 7th 2008, 17:17
Go on Gejt join them and you will solve all our problems. Protest marches have been the play thing of the GWU in the past and has not solved any problems. The Dockyard , Sea Malta. The Phoenicia Hotel are just example. It is easy to organise manifestation but very hard to solve problems.
@ P.Schembri. You said it. During the manifestation you are going to growl and bark but i am sure you are not biting anyone except yourself by wasting your time and money. Pity that many will be fooled into believing that marching down Republic Street will solve the world's economic problems which are causing our problems.
P.Schembri
Nov 7th 2008, 14:31
@all. Can't you see that the UHM cannot bite the hand that feed it. Only growling and barking, but no bite!
E.Anastasi
Nov 7th 2008, 12:34
Dear Gejtu Vella,
As far as I know, the social partners did propose a common solution to this problem. All were in agreement that these W&E tariffs are over the top and are going to hit workers, industries and businesses hard. I think you adopted a common front. You shamed the government for its lack of appropriate consultation and social dialogue. You sensibly pleaded with the government to delay these measures because the current state of the economy is horrendous.
Government did not have any of it. It did not even include the W&E tariffs in the budget. It increased the cost of fuel when in other countries it is going down. It increased taxes on objects like common light bulbs when in fact it should have decreased the prices on energy saving bulbs and appliances. People have no idea what to do with their cars and how they will maintain them (fiscally). An increase of €4 and minimal widening of tax bands as COLA is a far cry from what was promised and will not suffice for the heavy increases.
Mr. Gejtu Vella,
WHAT ARE YOU GOING TO DO ABOUT IT??
Stavros Stellini
Nov 7th 2008, 11:47
Gejtu Vella and UHM you are more them welcome to join forces with us people in the manifestations held in the coming days. We welcome you on board. I hope that the government will react to the people's voice
ivan schembri
Nov 7th 2008, 11:41
ajdilna x behsiebek taghmel GEJTU . Mhux qiesek qed tibza ma tmurx twegga lil partit nazzjonalista ? Ftakar li ahna l membri tieghek qed inwegghu ukoll . Fil