The social partners within the Malta Council for Economic and Social Development this afternoon had a two-hour meeting at Phoenicia to discuss the budget.

Finance Minister Tonio Fenech gave a presentation on the government's plans after which the social partners gave their reaction.

The final decisions will now be taken between this evening and Sunday morning, Mr Fenech said.

The social partners' reaction at the end of the meeting was mixed with most of the unions preparing to wait until Monday before taking a position and others saying that some of their proposals had been taken up.

However, General Workers' Union general secretary Tony Zarb said the minister had hardly considered the serious proposals made by the union and it was clear that this would be another budget which placed serious burdens on the people.