Busuttil: Social dialogue must 'work better' in Malta and Europe

Social dialogue must be strengthened and legislators in Malta should listen more to civil society, PN leader Simon Busuttil said.

He said this during a meeting with the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) president Henri Malosse.

Underlining his experience during his nine years in Brussels as an MEP, the opposition leader said "governments and parties aspiring to be elected in power do not need to reinvent the wheel but they can rely on consultative bodies such as the EESC and translate their ideas into legislation."

This afternoon Malosse paid a visit to the PN headquarters in Pieta where he was greeted by Busuttil and other party MPs and officials.

Busuttil added that social dialogue was an important pillar in democracy and although Malta had learnt a great deal from the European model of dialogue, he said "we can make it work better in Malta and in Europe."

Molasse is in Malta on a three-day visit where he has held a series of meetings, including with President Marie Louise Coleiro Preca, Prime Minister Joseph Muscat and various representatives of civil society.

On his part Molasse noted the importance of fostering the market economy and social cohesion.

“SMEs play an important part in the development of Europe because by strengthening small businesses, the middle class grows and if this happens than social cohesion increases while poverty and exclusion decrease,” Molasse said, adding that this was the essence of European democracy.

The Corsican went on to note that mid-way through his mandate at the helm of the EESC he had visited over half of EU member states, insisting that it was “important to meet representatives of governments and opposition parties all across the EU in order to get a global view of all countries.”

The EESC is a consultative body of the European Union and is composed of employers, trade unions and representatives of civil society.