There was far more to solidarity among workers than sticking up for fellow workers when it came to safeguarding their working conditions and salaries, the Archbishop, Mgr Joseph Mercieca said.

In his message for Worker`s Day today, he said that although such solidarity was good and fitting, it should take on a much deeper and wider context.

He said that solidarity should also include a determination to fight for occupational health and safety, a peaceful atmosphere where there was no tension, and work which allowed them enough time for the other aspects of their life: family, social, cultural and religious.

It was also important for each worker to be loyal to his employer and to his colleagues, by carrying out his duties with a sense of responsibility and honesty.

Mgr Mercieca stressed the sorrow he felt over political division, saying that people should always think of themselves as brothers before thinking in terms of political belief.

"I encourage you to remember that there should be solidarity and alliances between you as family people, as workers, as people in the same population, and as brethren in Christ, before your political preferences.

"There is no room for partisan politics either in the family or in the places where you meet to work and earn your daily bread," he said.

The archbishop also touched on the role of women, saying that they should have the same opportunities as men, without discrimination. However, he added, once a woman chose to become a mother, she first had to dedicate herself to her young children and their education, for all they needed, depending on their age. Men also had the same responsibilities and rights as women, but this did not detract from the special role of a mother in the family, and of her important social contribution.

Unions and other organisations also issued messages on the occasion of Worker`s Day.