Social partners 'not being taken seriously' chamber complains

The Chamber of Commerce and Industry complained today that the social partners were not being taken seriously in the government's pre-Budget consultations.

It said that the pre-Budget consultation process at the Malta Council for Economic and Social Development (MCESD) had been reduced to just two meetings, which were insufficient for the Budget.

The Chamber said it had written to the Minister of Finance and the MCESD chairman stating that no serious consultation could occur in two meetings and within such a short time-frame.

"The Malta Chamber feels that government is not taking the social partners seriously and is thus only paying lip service to social dialogue and consultation," it said.