I would like to make some clarifications with regard to the manner in which some statements made by MEA have been reported by Times of Malta.

Firstly, on November 4, it was reported that “ The GWU and the MEA have jointly called for a strategy establishing a minimum wage for government tenders in security, cleaning and care working services”. This is incorrect.

What the MEA is proposing, and what is clearly stated in our statement, which was also endorsed by the GWU, is that the Government should establish a minimum rate for awarding tenders in the sectors mentioned. The minimum rate includes wages, administration, other costs and a profit margin. Neither the MEA nor the GWU called for establishing a minimum wage in these services, as was reported in Times of Malta.

Secondly, on November 6, our reaction to the national Budget fell under the heading MEA

Impressed With Budget. While the MEA has welcomed the positive measures in the Budget, we also criticised others. At no point in the release, nor in our statements to the media, did we state that we were ‘impressed’. Such interpretations go beyond journalistic licence and communicate a different message than that which is actually being conveyed.