The recent ministerial rises are “exaggerated” according to Union Ħaddiema Magħqudin general secretary Gejtu Vella.

Speaking at a union activity and in comments to timesofmalta.com, Mr Vella said the union believed parliamentarians and ministers should have an adequate salary, but the way this increase had been given was not sensitive to the difficulties workers, pensioners and their families are going through right now.

“We would have expected this process to take place more responsibly,” Mr Vella said, adding parliamentarians should lead by example.

Asked if the pay was “adequate”, Mr Vella said “in these circumstances, in the current circumstances, the raise is exaggerated and should not have been given at this stage”.

The general secretary said the greatest cause of concern to the union and its members right now was the international situation where demonstrations, general strikes and protests were taking place. Whatever happened abroad would affect Malta as well, he said.

He also said the union was “worried” on the awarding of the power station extension contract and said ther matter should be more transparent for the people to be assured that the contract was given in the proper way and have the assurance that taxpayers’ money was spent properly.

“Until there are lingering doubts on the way this contract was awarded, the country will never understand the benefits of this new extension,” Mr Vella said.