The president of the World Organisation of Workers (WOW), Roel Rotshuizen criticised the way the government consulted the social partners on the new energy rates only after it had tabled the proposals.

Mr Rotshuizen insisted during a press conference at the offices of the Union Ħaddiema Magħqudin that without mutual respect there can be no meaningful social dialogue.

The UĦM went a step further, saying that it would not allow the government to use social dialogue as a "make-believe" or "simulation exercise". It criticised the government for tabling the utility tariffs at the Malta Council for Economic and Social Development at "the eleventh hour".

The new rates, announced on October 29, came under heavy fire from the social partners, worried about the financial burden that both workers and businesses will have to carry. The government was criticised for the way it pushed ahead with the tariffs despite the chorus of disapproval by many quarters.

During the press conference, held as the WOW world congress takes place in Malta, Mr Rotshuizen said that the proper way of approaching social dialogue is to "bring up the problem first and discuss it", stressing that this should not be done in an arrogant way.

It is clear, UĦM general secretary Gejtu Vella said, that when the social partners propose a common solution to a problem it has a better chance of succeeding both because the course of action has more support and also because the methods being suggested are more realistic.