Unions concerned on good governance, demand Panamagate investigation

The Confederation of Malta Trade Unions has called for an investigation into the offshore companies held by energy and health minister Konrad Mizzi and the Prime Minister’s chief of staff Keith Schembri.

“Besides being morally reprehensible, lack of good governance may in the long run result in higher costs for honest tax paying citizens,” CMTU president Martin Balzan said in a statement.

“We want to publicly express our concern that senior government figures, while negotiating major deals in the name of the Maltese people, are on the other hand holding secretive trusts with companies in places with a reputation of being a preferred destination of hidden funds.”

“It is essential that these matters are thoroughly investigated and new measures promoting good governance, transparency and accountability are introduced in the very near future. It is also important that real or perceived conflicts of interests of persons in government roles to be clearly defined and also resolved. These are essential principles in a modern and healthy democracy.”

The CMTU is composed of the Union Haddiema Maghqudin, the Malta Medical Association, the Malta Union of Bank Employees, the Lotto Receivers’ Union, the Malta Chamber of Pharmacists, and the Malta Union of Professional Psychologists.