Promised quarterly meetings to keep the Malta Council for Economic and Social Development up to date on the implementation of the budget have not been held, the leaders of the country’s two largest unions agreed today.

Speaking during a debate organised by Zminijietna, UHM general secretary Gejtu Vella said the commitment for these meetings to be held was made by the government last year. However, only one such meeting had been held.

GWU general secretary Tony Zarb confirmed Mr Vella’s statement and called on the government to state which of last year’s promised budget measures had been implemented.

Two meetings just days before the budget was not enough, he insisted.

Mr Zarb said that a cost of living increase of €1.16, as had been proposed, would not ease the burden that people were carrying.

Mr Vella, Mr Zarb and Forum president John Bencini spoke about the importance of having a budget which took social needs into consideration.