The absence of all but five MPs at Wednesday’s Parliament sitting was nothing but a “bad example” and sent out contradictory messages to the country, the Forum group of unions said.

The group of 11 unions said the 69 MPs were elected to carry out their duty, among other things, to their constituents and they were expected to attend regularly, punctually and contribute in the House of Representatives.

The unions condemned the absenteeism of MPs during Wednesday’s Parliament sitting, which had to be called off because there were not enough members to form a quorum.

The sitting was called off at 6.22 p.m. because, at the time, there were only three government MPs: Ċensu Galea, Robert Arrigo and Parliamentary Secretary Mario Galea along with Opposition Whip Joe Mizzi and, for a brief period, Labour MP Roderick Galdes.

While appealing for such things never to happen again, Forum pointed out that the lack of quorum happened at the same time when the collective agreement of civil servants was being discussed.

It said during the talks the official side was insisting on unions to accept an electronic system that would keep tabs on when employees clock in and punch out in order to cut abuse.

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