Josef Bugeja, the new General Secretary of the General Workers' Union has urged union representatives to go out and convince workers of their right to join a union.

"We need to look at sectors that never believed in trade unions. We need to go out and convince the 50% of Maltese employees who are not members of any trade union, of the benefits to be in an union. It is everyone's right to join a union and negotiate their work conditions. Better conditions increase efficiency, productivity and efficiency," he said, adding that the union was ready to work with any good-willed employer.

In his first speech at the GWU national conference after taking over the reins from Tony Zarb, Mr Bugeja spoke of the union's achievements in the past 72 years. Today's workers had rights that most took for granted thanks to the battles that the union fought in the past, he said.

Among others, the GWU was proud of being the first to insist on the right of disciplinary corps to join a union.

"Be proud that you are representatives of the GWU, because looking back we made a difference," he said.

Meanwhile, he said, the union would remain strong and renew itself through education, training and research, he added.

Mr Bugeja thanked his colleagues and Mr Zarb, and teary-eyed, he also thanked his relatives for their support.