During another consultation meeting, this time with representatives of the General Workers’ Union (GWU) in the Auberge de Castille, Prime Minister Robert Abela stressed that this is a Government that continues to prioritise discussion because it strengthens the conditions and rights of workers.
The Prime Minister pointed out that on Monday 27 October our country will once again have a Budget without tax increases and energy subsidies will be maintained for both businesses and families.
“We have done and I promise you that we will continue to do more on the subject of work-life balance. We have introduced unprecedented measures in favour of workers in this legislature. We have introduced the second parent’s leave of ten days with pay which was then extended to the self-employed. We have given five days of carers’ leave, three of which are fully paid for workers in the public sector”Prime Minister Robert Abela
In a statement from the Office of the Prime Minister, it was said that the Prime Minister also referred to initiatives such as urgent family leave which has now increased from 15 hours to four days. He explained that this apart from the miscarriage leave law which will be implemented in the near future. Couples will have seven days of leave paid in full by the Government. The Prime Minister also made reference to the ongoing consultation regarding special leave for parents whose babies are admitted to the NPICU.
The Prime Minister also referred to the situation at Carlo Gavazzi and the role of the GWU in ensuring that workers have obtained an adequate financial package. He said that the situation in the country is that the labour sector is strong and therefore with the skills that these workers have, they will certainly be absorbed into a world of work that in our country continues to be dynamic.
Dr Abela added that the good relations that this Government has always maintained with the social partners have always translated into positive measures and initiatives for the benefit of the Maltese and Gozitans.
The Prime Minister mentioned how over the past few years, our country has managed to build an increasingly strong economy, so that today it surpasses that of other European countries. He said that this is also evident from the fact that the number of jobs continues to increase while unemployment is at its lowest ever. He added that thanks to a profitable economy, the Government was able to provide excellent financial packages, while continuing to strengthen working conditions even through a number of collective agreements for workers. In this context, the Prime Minister praised the work done by the unions and thanked them for the valuable work that they all do in favour of the interests of the worker.
Also present at this meeting were Ministers Michael Falzon, Byron Camilleri, Clyde Caruana and Clifton Grima, Parliamentary Secretaries Andy Ellul and Malcolm Paul Agius Galea, MPs Naomi Cachia and Ray Abela, and the Head of the Secretariat of the Office of the Prime Minister, Mark Mallia.
