GWU ‘satisfied’ with consensus in MCESD

In a statement following the meeting, the GWU said it is “satisfied that during the discussions that took place within the MCESD, it seems that there was agreement among social partners with the recommendations and proposals put forward by the GWU.”

The GWU reiterated that its proposals (presented jointly with FOR.U.M) included a compensation to offset the price increases, a revision of the COLA mechanism to be calculated on the average national wage, and also for a Household Budgetary Survey on workers earning below the average wage.

The union said it is confident of common consensus on its proposals in coming MCESD discussions, so that “the compensation to families is adequate and timely.” This, it added, was all the more necessary in the light of the domino effect that the increase in price of fuel and gas could have on the cost of other essential products and services.

The MCESD was called with urgency by government following pressure by unions in reaction to significant price hikes in fuel and gas announced in the first few days of 2011.

But government has said that the fate of compensation to offset the price hikes is still uncertain and would be determined following the preparation and discussion of an inflation evaluation report not before March.