Press reporters were this afternoon ushered out of a meeting of the Malta Council for Economic and Social Development (MCESD) before it started a discussion on proposals by the Malta Employers’ Association for amendments to the employment and industrial relations law.

When the meeting was due to start, an association official questioned the presence of the media.

MCESD chairman John Bencini said it was normal for reporters to be allowed for the first part of meetings.

GWU General Secretary Tony Zarb objected to the journalists’ presence, pointing out that this arrangement would mean that they would report the MEA views, but not that of the trade unions.

Mr Bencini then asked if anyone was making a formal objection. Mr Zarb objected and journalists were asked to leave.

The proposals were issued last  year and include issues such as union recognition, the operation of the Industrial Tribunal, deduction of wages, overtime and the cost-of-living mechanism.

However the issue which raised the biggest reaction was a call to curtail sick leave entitlement for self-inflicted ailments such as drunkenness, hangover, sunburn, sunstrokes and sports injuries.

The unions had immediately protested, with various questions being raised on where the line should be drawn, such as whether smokers who suffered lung cancer would be eligible for sick leave.