New UHM leadership meets Muscat

UHM President Jesmond Bonello and secretary general Josef Vella called on Opposition and Labour leader Joseph Muscat and presented him with the union’s document ‘Vision 2015 – A Social Vision for You’.

The document was launched last week during the UHM’s national congress, and unanimously adopted by its members.

During the meeting, UHM secretary general Josef Vella said that the document highlighted the importance of the country taking note of the importance to safeguard family, quality of life, education, health, democratic institutions and the electronic revolution.

He said that the country needs to embark on a number of initiatives, most particular the enaction of an Active Labour Market Policy that would identify long-time unemployed for specific jobs. Parents who wish to contribute to economy may be identified through an Employee Volunteering System.

Vella stressed on the importance that the family must be kept at the centre of every decision taken, and urged the setting up of a family agency that would research family-friendly policies.

The UHM secretary general also said that an effective reduction in expenditure on the health sector may come around through effective health education which in turn would also leave a substantial economic contribution.

Finally, Josef Vella called for amendments to the laws in a bid to stop what he described as “abuses” carried out by employers who engage personnel under self-employed and outsourcing contracts.