Editorial

There seems to be no end to the twists and turns the issue over the water and energy rates is taking, or to the fallout it is producing. Last Friday, The Times called on the 11 trade unions contesting the workings of the eco reduction to do as they had been advised by the Prime Minister and refer the matter directly to the Malta Resources Authority. After so much huffing and puffing and the issue of a directive to consumers not to pay their bills within the time allowed, they finally decided to seek the clarification from the regulator.

On the other hand, the Chamber of Small and Medium Enterprises - GRTU went ahead with its plans and directed its members to pay only the part of the bills which it believed was fair in the circumstances, even though it now intends contesting the matter in court.

There were two other twists, the news that an independent study has found that the model used in the drawing up of the bills was correct but that the accuracy of the data had yet to be verified; and the move by a number of trade unions to set up an association.

This last move opens what appears, at least at this stage, to be a sad chapter in the history of the trade union movement, for it suggests further fragmentation, rather than unity. What had started off as a good beginning to the idea of bringing about greater unity among the trade unions has ended up in greater division, something which, clearly, does not benefit either the unions or their members.

The division came about when, following a protest over the water and energy tariffs, one union proposed the setting up of a trades union council. Another union thought there were other pressing issues to deal with at present and, from there, relations worsened to an extent that one of the leading trade unions within the group, the Malta Union of Teachers, ended up being suspended from the Confederation of Malta Trade Unions. It has since left the CMTU. The idea of setting up a TUC has now fallen by the wayside, with one trade unionist saying Malta is not yet prepared to have one.

Instead, an association is being formed. Maybe these unions ought to mark time a bit so as not to let matters get out of hand and, instead of unity, bring about greater duplication of effort. It would seem that many decisions are being taken on the spur of the moment when greater reflection and thoughtful consideration could lead to wiser directions. As to the issue over the water and energy tariffs, the ball is now in the Malta Resources Authority's court, which has been advised by the auditing firm carrying out the study of the tariff structure to test the accuracy of the data. It has been learned that the model used in the drawing up of the new energy bills is correct, which is fine, but is it not strange that the accuracy of Enemalta's data has yet to be verified when the water and electricity bills are already being mailed out to consumers? What if the cost figures are incorrect?

The whole matter, right from the manner in which the government handled the trade unions to the way the issue has developed, and to its subsidiary repercussions, is a first-class muddle that ought to be dealt with without further loss of time.