Brussels nomination ‘will not affect’ Budget consultations

Consultations on the Budget have not been compromised despite the impasse over the government’s nomination of Vince Farrugia to sit on a European civil society committee, the Parliamentary Secretary for Public Dialogue, Chris Said, believes.

He insisted a solution to the problem would be found “through discussion and dialogue”.

However, Dr Said refrained from saying whether the government would change its mind on Vince Farrugia’s nomination to the European Economic and Social Committee, which led to serious objections by the Malta Employers’ Association.

Dr Said’s reaction comes in the wake of support the MEA received from the Chamber of Commerce, Enterprise and Industry and the Malta Hotels and Restaurants Association.

The organisations are insisting Mr Farrugia does not represent the interests of employers because the Chamber for Small and Medium Enterprises – GRTU, of which he is director general, represented self-employed people.

Mr Farrugia is one of two nominees to represent employers on the board. The other nominee is Stefano Mallia, proposed by the Chamber of Commerce and was acceptable to the other employer organisations.

The MEA is boycotting the meetings of the Malta Council for Economic and Social Development in protest at Mr Farrugia’s nomination.

“In the past, similar issues were resolved through dialogue and, likewise, the government is striving for the situation to return to normal in no time,” Dr Said told The Times.

When asked whether the impasse would compromise the forthcoming Budget consultation process in the months ahead, he said the government was confident MCESD members were “professional in their attitude and approach and they will not confuse issues”.

“The government does not feel that the consultation about the Budget has been compromised,” Dr Said insisted.