The Malta Employers' Association has welcomed the 'yes' vote by the workers to the agreement reached between the GWU and ST Microelectronics on austerity measures.
The MEA said the agreement "is conducive to further investment which will help to retain existing jobs and to create others both within ST and in other companies as well."
The association said the workers and unions were faced with a difficult choice but ultimately the workers opted for the one which was in their interest and that of the company.
"In order to move forward, one must, at times, inevitably make a minor step backwards. The outcome of these negotiations has been the result of maturity on the parts of the company, the union and the employees," the MEA said.