Claudia Calleja
PM's reply baffles GWU and MUT
Trade unions cannot understand why Prime Minster Lawrence Gonzi was referring them to the Malta Resources Authority to seek clarifications on the utility tariffs once they had discussed the subject with him.
Both the general secretary of the General Workers' Union, Tony Zarb and the president of the Malta Union of Teachers, John Bencini thought it was strange that unions were being sent to the regulator following discussions with the Prime Minister about the tariffs.
They were also disappointed that Dr Gonzi did not accede to their request to schedule another meeting with him to discuss the tariffs, Mr Zarb and Mr Bencini said when contacted. They spoke in reaction to a letter sent by Dr Gonzi in reply to another letter sent to him earlier this month by 11 trade unions demanding clarifications about the new water and electricity tariffs.
On December 10, the unions had written to Dr Gonzi questioning the number of people benefitting from the eco reduction and insisting that, according to a study commissioned by them, this would exclude a substantial number of people, including one-and-two person households, most of whom are pensioners.
In his reply, sent on Monday, Dr Gonzi said the government would not object if the unions sought clarifications from the Malta Resources Authority.
He explained that changes in the tariffs should be approved by the MRA, as the regulator, according to the provisions of Maltese law and EU regulations.
The MUT's Mr Bencini said he was "confused" and "surprised" by the reply as, apart from the fact that it did not answer the unions' queries, unions were being asked to go to the regulator to clarify information that emerged out of a meeting with the Prime Minister.
Agreeing, Mr Zarb added that Dr Gonzi's reply led him (Mr Zarb) to believe that everything would remain unchanged and the proposed higher tariffs would stand. He added that the 11 unions will soon be meeting to discuss a way forward.
When contacted, a spokesman for the Prime Minister insisted that Dr Gonzi had referred the unions to the regulator because the content of their letter had to be addressed by the MRA.
The spokesman reiterated that the government believed it should be the regulator who, in a transparent way, would justify, or otherwise, any changes in the tariffs.
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Giov DeMartino
Dec 26th 2008, 17:08
That is exactly what my teachers used to tell me when I was a boy!
Jeremy J Camilleri
Dec 26th 2008, 11:11
G demartino is so careful not to go out of point isn't he...??
Giov DeMartino
Dec 26th 2008, 09:14
Unlike Alfred Sant I have many regrets. One of them is that Mr. John Bencini,. president of the once movement of un ited teachers, was not at the helm when we were locked out, physically assaulted, humiliated, called all sorts of names, transferred en bloc, had tour H'Qrs ransacked,forced to declare in writing that we would not follow our union's directives....it wasa hell FOR ALL OF US.
Jeremy J Camilleri
Dec 24th 2008, 17:32
jbusuttil must have got it all mixed up...
Its the customer thats always right, not the government...
John Saliba
Dec 24th 2008, 16:53
@J Busuttil
U say in that unions should work in the national interest. It is definitely not in the nations' interest to see that these tariffs are increased. Furthermore it is becoming clear that the real reason behind this price hicking has little to do with the price of oil but more with the inefficiencies, irresponsibilities and lack of transparencies in which enemalta has been operating. Most probably Mr Busuttil you're one of those that see only blue and have no ability to discern between what is really right or wrong but just follow what gov. says. Typically of the "naghag ta' bendu" attitude.
joe camenzuli
Dec 24th 2008, 15:53
In UK it was announced that gas and electricity will be 30 percent cheaper in 2009. While here the Maltese are being squeezed of every cent earned with the latest tariffs. We are the second class citizens of Europe.
Edward Scicluna
Dec 24th 2008, 12:58
@ J Busuttil
Is it in the National Interest that our pensioners, who are living alone, be excluded from the eco-reduction scheme this Xmas, no matter how hard they try to conserve energy, just because some bureaucrat worked out the scheme wrongly?
J Busuttil
Dec 24th 2008, 11:20
The Govt is right in sending the unions to the Regulator because it is this entity which decides who is right that is the unions or Govt. To Mr Zarb I say that the way forward is to work for those who are prudent in the use of the utilities and not for those who do not care. To Mr Bencini who is confused I say 'please do not confuse us. These 'backtracking unions" should come to their senses and remember that 2009 is a chalanging year and they must work in the NATIONAL INTEREST.