Government failing to engage in social dialogue - Labour MP

In a statement in the wake of recently-announced fuel and gas price hikes, Labour spokesperson for social dialogue Gino Cauchi said it was “shameful" that government did not consult the social partners on the hikes in energy prices.

"The MCESD should be a place for discussion on the effects government’s social and economic measures can have on the economy,” Cauchi said. “While the government professes to believe in the principle of social dialogue, it has failed to uphold it every time.”

Cauchi reiterated that this was the case with regards to the utility bills, the VAT increase on tourism, and – most recently – when it approved “substantial increases” in fuel and gas prices.

Cauchi hoped the MCESD meeting scheduled to take place on Friday 7 January was not intended to simply “calm social partners, but that it opens government’s eyes to how these price hikes will continue pressuring Maltese and Gozitan families.”

The latest gas price hike is but one of a series of hikes that, in quick succession have pushed up the price of gas cylinders by between 20 to 23 per cent in just four months – translating into an increase of roughly 5 per cent each month.