[WATCH] Busuttil: Trade unionism should go beyond political parties

PN leader says unions should put workers’ rights above partisan interests • Video by Ray Attard

PN leader Simon Busuttil today said that trade unionism should go beyond partisan issues and to focus on the needs of the workers it represents.

“We appreciate this role and want to make sure it is properly fulfilled independent of any political ties just to serve the workers,” he said at a meeting with the new administration of the General Workers Union.

Making particular references to the issue of Enemalta workers and the privatisation of the Gozo general hospital, Busuttil said the GWU was often not in agreement with the PN and that he felt more could have been done in defence of the workers.

GWU secretary general Josef Bugeja said that the aim of the union was to meet with and discuss extensively with social partners to improve better conditions for workers.

Bugeja added that the GWU had looked at the way Enemalta employees and Gozo general hospital employees would be affected by the privatisation.

“Workers will still be employed by the government and they will still be government employees under the same contracts as before,” he said quoting a document, which prompted Busuttil to question whether the privatisation made sense if the workers would still be employed by the government.

“It is now not just about jobs but it is about the quality of jobs,” Bugeja said adding that more opportunities needed to be provided to bring both parties together to support growth in various sectors therefore reaching more people.

“The mismatch of skills needs to be addressed to prepare for the challenges and industries of the future,” he said adding that more needed to be dine to address skills gaps created in gaming industries among others.

“We need to look at employment rules and regulations even where trade unions are absent,” he said making particular reference to the construction industry among others where many foreigners were being hired even though Maltese employees might have adequate skills anyway.

Bugeja and Busuttil both looked forward to further cooperation and dialogue between PN and the GWU.