Gejtu Vella’s ‘no reaction’ to MUMN, Forum attacks

Consultant to Health Minister Joe Cassr on trade union affairs and PN election candidate Gejtu Vella refused to react to harsh criticism raised by the Malta Union of Midwives and Nurses (MUMN) and Forum.

"I have no comment to make," Vella said when contacted by MaltaToday.

This morning, the Forum Unions Maltin President John Bencini said he supported MUMN's objection to Vella's presence at meetings with the Health Department.

In a statement, Bencini said that it was unethical for Vella to serve as a government consultant on industrial relations, while at the same time serve as a consultant in the private sector.

"This goes against trade unionistic ethics and creates conflict of interest," Bencini said. "This could lead to a situation which might compromise discussions over collective agreements.

But according to Vella, this was completely untrue: "MUMN and Forum have the right for their opinion. But in reality it is completely untrue."

Bencini accused Vella of having been prejudiced against Forum in the past and had tried to stop Forum from joining MCESD and the European Trade Union Confederation (ETUC).

Bencini also said that when unions wanted to create some sort of association, Vella had reportedly said that he preferred "competition, rather than cooperation, between unions".

"Considering the circumstances, Forum has no trust in Gejtu Vella as a government consultant on industrial relations affairs," the Forum president said.

Vella's new role was revealed last weekend by Sunday newspaper Illum. According to Illum, Vella has been awarded a €22,098 contract with the health ministry.