General Workers Union general secretary Tony Zarb this morning dismissed calls for his resignation and vowed to keep "standing up for workers despite some people's wishes".

He spoke at a well-attended meeting for social partners and civil society organised by the Labour Party to discuss the party's electoral manifesto.

Mr Zarb is currently embroiled in a controversy about leaked recordings where he is heard telling a company he could help when it came to tenders if it had a good relationship with the union - especially if there is a change of government.

The Prime Minister and Nationalist Party have called for his resignation.

Speaking this morning, Mr Zarb said the GWU would continue to fight against precarious employment as it had done in the past.

He praised Labour for including more than 20 of the GWU's electoral proposals  in its manifesto and for its pledge to reduce energy costs.

Malta Hotels and Restaurants Association president Tony Zahra also made a pointed intervention where he praised Labour for tackling utility prices and called for more transparency in the energy sector.

Mr Zahra also complained about the proposal by both parties to extend sick leave to children of parents, as did the Malta Employers Association.

Labour leader Joseph Muscat responded to most questions - though he did not respond to criticism about the sick leave proposal - pledging to work hand in hand with civil society on practically all initiatives.

He said Labour's manifesto was doable and would cost less than that of the Nationalist Party, which was unaffordable.

"We are not assuming growth, we are working for it," he said.

Dr Muscat described Labour's energy proposal as one of the most scrutinised in history but said he was proud of the result.

About pensions, Dr Muscat said he could not do in five years what was not done in 40, but promised to accelerate the process and create a schedule once in Government on how to tackle services pensions.

 

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