The Union Haddiema Maghqudin has requested an urgent meeting of the Malta Council for Economic and Social Development to discuss a policy disallowing mobile phones during official meetings with ministers.

The union said it was informed of this policy after a meeting between the Home Affairs Minister and its general secretary Josef Vella was cancelled when Mr Vella refused not to take his phone in for the meeting.

The UHM said this situation was not acceptable in a country built on democracy. Moreover, this incident showed a lack of trust in the social partners and it was preoccupying that the situation could be extended to meetings with other departments or government officials.

The UHM said the social partners contributed to the country’s economic and social aspects and this contribution was built on respect and reciprocal trust. A lack of trust, it said, could hinder the existing social dialogue.

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