GWU Secretary General Josef Bugeja ‘seriously considering’ election bid

General Workers Union Secretary General Josef Bugeja is “seriously considering” contesting the general election on the Labour ticket.

Speaking to MaltaToday, Bugeja said people have been approaching him urging him to contribute more in public life.

“And after the response I received yesterday, which I honestly did not expect, I am even more encouraged,” he said.

Bugeja insisted there is nothing set in stone, and he is yet to submit his official candidature for the party’s approval.

He lives in Pietà and is from Ħamrun, but would not say whether he would be contesting the first district.

In January, Bugeja revealed his intention to step down from the post, setting in motion the informal process to appoint a secretary general designate. Kevin Camilleri was subsequently appointed to the role in March.

He recently addressed the Labour Party’s national congress stressing social justice remains at the core of the Labour movement’s vision.

Bugeja said the Labour movement is a “family” that has always given workers a voice and maintained that human dignity is not for sale.

“When I look at you, I don’t just see an audience in a hall; I see my family — a movement that gave us a voice and has always believed that human dignity is not for sale,” he said. 

The Labour Party and General Workers’ Union have been historically aligned in their political views.