The FORUM group of trade unions said today that the fact that yesterday's parliamentary sitting had to be called off because only five of 69 MPs were present, set a bad example.

The unions pointed out that this had happened at the same time as the negotiators in talks on a new civil service collective agreement were being told that electronic systems needed to be installed to ensure that civil servants reported for work on time.

MPs were elected so that, among other things, they served in the House, and they were therefore expected to attend regularly and on time, the unions said.

What happened yesterday was worrying to those workers who did their duty and gave their day's work.

The workers had already expressed their concerns about MPs' honoraria and what happened yesterday certainly did not help, the unions said.

It hoped there would not be a repetition.

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