The Minister in the Office of the Prime Minister Carmelo Abela, responsible among others for the Dialogue Social Affairs, at a meeting of the Malta Council for Economic and Social Development (MCESD) said that the of the government is to strengthen consultation with workers’ representatives and employers.
Minister Abela said that this should be done in a more concrete, open and efficient way, with the aim of the Council be more effective in its operation as an advisory body, in accordance with the law, which provides solutions to the economic and social challenges the country is facing.
He mentioned that after the government is strengthening the operation of the MCESD from the point of view of administration and strengthening in human resources, as a Minister he is willing to have a discussion on the law with the social partners governing this Council, in order to make it more effective.
Minister Abela said how the aim of the government is to strengthen social dialogue in our country as part of the strengthening democracy in our country. He said the three parties together, the government, employers and workers ultimately they have a common goal to work together and bring results that reach people.
He expressed appreciation for the various topics discussed in this regard, including the work of the government, in particular in recent months under the leadership of Prime Minister Robert Abela.
These include the work on the Moneyval report, the Commission’s recommendations on the Venice Commission which led to a number of changes in various laws in agreement between the government and the Opposition.
At the meeting, Minister Abela and the social partners thanked Mr John Bencini for his leadership. as Chair of the MCESD for the last seven years. In his last speech to this Council, Mr Benċini said that the social dialogue in Malta is strong and should remain so. A country without social dialogue has something missing. He expressed his gratitude for the cooperation he has found over the years who was leading this Council.
Mr James Pearsall today chaired his first meeting as the new Chair of the MCESD.
