The Confederation of Malta Trade Unions said it was “seriously concerned” about the way the “supposedly democratic process” at the MCESD was being managed.
The confederation issued a statement after Forum, an umbrella organisation of unions, and the General Workers Union lashed out at the Union Ħaddiema Magħqudin for saying it was concerned at the way the Malta Council for Social and Economic Development, MCESD, was being run.
The UĦM has written to council president John Bencini claiming the level of dialogue was primarily focused on the priorities of the Prime Minister’s Office and other ministries.
Their requests for urgent meetings were immediately accepted but requests from the social partners had to be considered before they were discussed within the council, the UĦM said.
Senseless attack condemned
The GWU yesterday described the UĦM’s statement as “arrogant” because it “attacked the MCESD administration following its failure to reach its political motives”.
Similarly, Forum president Paul Pace condemned “the senseless attack” made by the UĦM.
The confederation said it has already expressed reservations on the practices of the MCESD, saying they needed to be restructured, but now it had “further serious concerns”.
It said it had “politely” requested information from the MCESD administration about a GWU statement issued earlier. But instead of a decent reply from the MCESD, GWU general secretary Tony Zarb “decided to intervene with a sarcastic tone as if the CMTU needs his permission before making such a request”.
The confederation said it was still without a reply and “following recent incidents it is clearly evident that something is seriously wrong at MCESD”.
It said it would hold internal meetings with its members to discuss the current state of affairs at MCESD “as this type of unwarranted undemocratic practice cannot be tolerated any further”.
In a statement, the GWU expressed full confidence in the council’s administration and said the UĦM had adopted its “improper and condemnable attitude” soon after the social partners failed to reach a consensus to discuss an isolated incident about the use of mobile phones during official meetings with the Home Affairs Minister.
It said the claim did not fall within the MCESD’s remit.