PM invites GRTU to submit ideas on capital investment

(Updated)

The Prime Minister said this evening that he welcomed a request by the GRTU for a meeting and looked forward to hearing the chamber's ideas about capital investment.

The GRTU had requested the meeting in the context of the utility tariffs.

Dr Gonzi in a letter to the president and the director-general of the GRTU did not refer to the tariffs but said this was the time for courage to recognise the realities facing the country and the world. He agreed with the GRTU that this was the time for strong, productive capital investment to overcome the challenges which Malta faced, especially in view of the recession which was on Europe's horizon.

Although the budget had not gone into details, there were several major projects which were being considered by the government for the coming months, and the government looked forward to hearing the GRTU's ideas for such investment, Dr Gonzi said.

In its letter to the Prime Minister, the GRTU said it was seeking to present its proposals on the tariffs.

The chamber accused Dr Gonzi of having lost another opportunity in Parliament yesterday to bring unity between the social partners and the government at a time when the country’s economy was threatened.

The GRTU said now was the time for the government to invest heavily to reinvigorate and restructure the economy.

The water and electricity tariffs system as presented by the government did not make sense.

“We appeal to you not to insist on it any more”, the chamber said.

It said the tariffs had no realistic economic basis, they were unjust with all sectors of Maltese enterprise and a heavy burden on families.