'Need for dialogue' between MEPs and social partners

More structured dialogue is needed between Malta's Euro-parliamentarians and the country's social partners, according to the General Workers' Union.

Union officials yesterday held a discussion with a number of MEPs at the GWU headquarters in Valletta and the latter agreed there had to be a proper system through which social partners, such as the GWU, could forward their feedback and proposals.

It was agreed that, while some of the social partners were represented on the Malta-EU Steering Action Committee (Meusac), the MEPs needed to have regular meetings with the Malta Council for Economic and Social Development (MCESD). Presenting the proposals his union had already submitted to all MEP candidates before the European Parliament elections, the GWU's general secretary Tony Zarb said: "We want to refresh your memory about the proposals we had made. We want a more social Europe. A Europe for the people, not people for Europe."

Mr Zarb spoke against the exploitation of immigrant workers saying employers were abusing many immigrants to the detriment of the Maltese.

MEP Simon Busuttil could not make the meeting due to other commitments. The other five elected were all present.