Matthew Xuereb
Unions call on government to suspend tariffs
A group of trade unions within the Għaqda Unions Maltin yesterday called on the government to suspend the new utility rates pending talks with the social partners.
In a meeting with a Nationalist Party delegation led by general secretary Paul Borg Olivier, GħUM president John Bencini presented a report on the impact the new rates would have on domestic users.
Although he said the report was penned by "experts in the field", General Workers' Union general secretary Tony Zarb refused to name them, saying they had drawn up the report on condition of anonymity.
Mr Bencini said some of the authors were former Enemalta employees who did not want to be named because of "possible repercussions".
He formally invited the PN to Sunday's protest on the new tariffs, an invitation Dr Borg Olivier immediately refused, saying the party was focusing more on generating and safeguarding jobs than on attending street protests.
He urged the unions to take a wider view of the situation, adding that funds the government used to give as subsidies to Enemalta, which increased by €270 million since 2004, were now being invested in education, health and the social sector.
Mr Bencini, who is also president of the teachers' union, noted that the protest was being backed by 63 per cent of unionised workers. "This is not a protest meant to topple the government or to damage the country but a protest to drive a message home, as is done regularly in many other European countries. Protesting is not a crime," he said.
He said the government should suspend the tariffs pending talks with the social partners, including trade unions that were not represented on the Malta Council for Economic and Social Development.
Dr Borg Olivier said the world was going through an economic storm but the government had still managed to spare the country the worst of the fallout.
He pointed out that the GWU was acting differently now than it had when the Labour government led by former Prime Minister Alfred Sant had, in 1996, raised utility tariffs steeply when the oil price was just $12 a barrel.
Mr Zarb replied that the situation was different at the time and that the Labour government never actually issued the bills based on the new tariffs.
Earlier, the GħUM wrote to all members of Parliament inviting them to take part in the protest.
The organisation pointed out in the letter that a vote on the tariffs would be taken in Parliament on Monday so the MPs' presence at the manifestation was of national importance and would be appreciated by constituents.
Meanwhile, the GWU told shop stewards at a rally that the 11 unions organising the protest had already agreed on the next step, which would be announced during the protest.
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C.camilleri
Feb 26th 2010, 12:25
Correction.
My apologies to Stephen Grech. My contribution was addressed to you by mistake.
It should have addressed @ PN apoogists
Lapsus.
C.camilleri
Feb 25th 2010, 21:34
@ Stephen Grech
So according to you all those who demonstrate are clowns? Are you also referring to our european brothers? or were you thinking of the weekly demonstrations organized by the PN in opposition?
If you like some other apologists are comfortable on the government gravy train stay at home next Sunday all those who are not are welcome to join the demo.
It is ironic that it was the GRTU one of the union refusing to demonstrate and which is run by a PN mep candidate that cautioned the Prime Minister that the higher utility tariffs will result in loss of jobs and also threatened to take the government to court about the said tariffs.
How's that for a circus?
A. Vassallo
Feb 25th 2010, 20:34
@ Stephen Grech
Quote " If it takes everyday clowning in Valletta to see my company back to making profit believe me I'll do it" You can do all the clowning you want in Valletta even every day if you want, but that will NOT make your company go back to making profit or create jobs for the 7,000 unemployed.
It really takes a lot of hard work to persuade and attract entrepreneurs, both foreign and Maltese, to invest in our country. And that is precisely what we need to create more and better jobs for the unemployed and not protests and clowning in Republic Street Valletta.
Stephen Grech
Feb 25th 2010, 19:23
Quote "Go on clowning in Valletta as the Govt and other unions who have the jobs of the workers at heart are working to safeguard and create new job opportunities."
I'll bet you boast your believe in democracy.!! With your reasoning, how much clowning in Valletta would it take to decrease the 7,000 plus jobless on this island.?
If it takes everyday clowing in Valletta to see my company back to making profit beleive me I'll do it.
c.camilleri
Feb 25th 2010, 15:43
Prosit Paul this is the kind of talk that the people want to hear. Wake up and go on the offensive. You have so much to be proud of and so much ammunition to attack your opponents. So why always be on the defensive.??????? It is not ridiculous on the part of the unions to ask the NP to take part in a demonstration against a National Govt. This is only a plot to destablise the Govt and then if things go astray they will be all out attacking the Govt. Look what is happening in Greece, Spain, Portugal, Ireland. Will these unions be happy if our country follow similar paths?. Go on clowning in Valletta as the Govt and other unions who have the jobs of the workers at heart are working to safeguard and create new job opportunities.
A. Vassallo
Feb 25th 2010, 14:00
@ Tony Zarb
I wonder why the gwu general secretary tony zarb refused to name the authors, referred to as "experts in the field", of the report on the impact of the new water and electricity tariffs.
We all know the gwu when it comes to reports. Back in 1996/1998 when the Labour Party increased the water and electricity tariffs astronomically when the price of oil stood at $12 a barrel, they told us that they were studying the situation and a report will be published in due course. Until now that report was never published. Most probably they are still studying.
Do you remember those 19 SECRET reports that the gwu had, all positively in favour of Malta’s accession to the European Union and at the same time they were telling us that the EU is good nut not for Malta?
If the gwu is not ready to publish the names of who wrote them, for us too know who these experts in the field are, than these reports are not even worth the paper that they were written on!!!!!
Alfred Abela
Feb 25th 2010, 13:26
Have all these unions published any report on how we can pay cheaper tariffs, and yet allow WaterServices and Enemalta not to make big losses? The present tariffs are open to everyone to see, no hiding. Yes they may be tough to digest, but at least all has been explained. I would like to pay less, but than I would not like some minister to increase my taxes so that it can payout losses to the corporations. If these unions have a feasible alternative please publish it, if not why protest? Taking people to the streets is just an excercise in showing force not reason. We all remember where such demonstrations have led us in the past. I would rather pay than have a country which seems to live with unrest.