The General Workers’ Union (GWU), the largest workers’ union in Malta, has advised that COLA should be divided in two parts, with the first part being held this year and then the other would be given in January next year as usual. This is to mitigate the impact of rising food prices on Maltese households.
The site took a comment from the Secretary General of the General Workers’ Union, Josef Bugeja, who told us that we have a strong social dialogue in Malta, as we did in the case of the Covid-19 pandemic, and suggested that we should talk together again.
“There is a need to discuss the way forward between the social partners and the Government on inflation and its impact on workers, families and the economy. The rise in food prices needs to be addressed immediately,” said Bugeja.
“WE AGREE TO INCREASE WAGES SO THAT EVERYONE LIVES A DECENT LIFE BUT AT THE SAME TIME IT IS IMPORTANT NOT TO PUT EMPLOYMENT IN DANGER”
Josef Bugeja
The GWU acknowledges the government’s subsidy in energy, fuel and cereal prices to curb the impact of inflation and feels it is very important that this subsidy remain in place.
The Secretary added that, “however, it is important that as a country we remain competitive with other countries in order not to affect jobs. The fact that the government has absorbed certain increases has been to our industry’s advantage over other countries.”
He said that as a GWU they agree to increase the salary for everyone to live a decent life but at the same time it is important not to put jobs in jeopardy.
“It is extremely difficult to strike a balance at such a time. Together we have to carry the burden and not just the workers,” concluded Mr Josef Bugeja.
