Prime Minister Robert Abela met with representatives of the General Workers Unions (GWU) with the aim of continuing to listen to ideas and proposals that will prepare the country to draw up the budget for the year 2022.
During the meeting, the Prime Minister said that just as the GWU puts the workers in our country at the center of its work, so does this government in shaping its policy.
“In the decisions we make on a daily basis, we always put the interests of the worker first. In drawing up the budget document, we must ensure that workers and the labor market are protected and secure, “said the Prime Minister.
The Prime Minister noted how statistics released by the National Statistics Office showed how during the month of August, thanks to the policy of this government, Malta managed to break another record, with the unemployment rate being the lowest one the country has ever experienced.
“In April 2020 we had a choice. That of going for an austerity policy or that of continuing to invest in Maltese and Gozitan families with the aim of protecting the jobs of thousands of workers. Today, statistics have shown that the decisions we made were correct. If we had not made those decisions, today we are talking about a very high unemployment rate “, said Dr Abela.
In his conclusion, the Prime Minister said that he looks forward to seeing the results of the consultation process launched by the government at the beginning of this year in connection with a labour policy for years to come.
General Secretary of the General Workers Union Josef Bugeja stressed that social dialogue is one of the greatest successful forces that our country has.
“The solutions to today’s challenges can be found by discussing them together,” said Mr Bugeja.
In this regard, the Secretary General of the GWU recalled how back in the beginning of the pandemic, the spirit of social dialogue again proved to be successful.
“I remember that the Prime Minister had asked us, together with other social partners, to meet, discuss and come up with solutions. The pandemic has proved to be a perfect example of success in this regard and we must operate in the coming years, “said Mr Bugeja.
On behalf of the entire team, Mr Bugeja presented to the Prime Minister a document with detailed proposals for the budget to be presented in October this year.
Present for the discussion were Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Health Chris Fearne, Minister for Finance and Labor Clyde Caruana, Minister for the Economy and Industry Silvio Schembri, and Minister for -Solidarity and Social Justice, Family and the Rights of the Child Michael Falzon.
Photos: OPM
