The planned street protest on the water and electricity tariffs would do more damage to the country than good, the Confederation of Malta Trade Unions said yesterday.

The CMTU said its priority remained the generation of more employment opportunities and investment, especially at a time when the country was slowly emerging from the recession.

Confederation president William Portelli said that, as had been decided in its congress last week, the CMTU was working with its affiliates to ensure the country's priority remained the generation and protection of jobs.

Mr Portelli said the announced street protests against the water and electricity tariffs were just spokes in the wheel to hinder the agreements reached between the social partners and the government during Budget meetings.

The protest is being organised by the Għaqda Unions Maltin along with the General Workers' Union and will be held in Valletta on February 28.

In a clear reference to the GWU but stopping short of mentioning it by name, Mr Portelli said "another union" had opted not to participate in discussions on the tariffs, to the detriment of dialogue and to the misfortune of workers who expected solutions from a union.

He said all unions had to maintain a united front in order to retain viability and credibility.

The CMTU said that together with its affiliates, which included the Union Ħaddiema Magħqudin and the Medical Association of Malta, it would continue working to find the necessary solutions to give the people a future of opportunities.