Collective agreements are slowly becoming something of the past in Malta as their numbers are gradually decreasing. At present there are 235 collective agreements in force, and in 2011 their number dropped by 6%.

The Director for the Centre of Labour Studies at the University of Malta, Manwel Debono, made this claim during a business breakfast yesterday, on the occasion of the launch of the book The Collective Agreement in Maltese Industrial Relations by Dr Cory Greenland, a senior General Workers’ Union official.

Dr Greenland who in recent years rose through the ranks of the union after militating in the youth section, is currently Secretary of the Professionals, Finance and Services Section. The book is an edited version of his dissertation presented to the University of Malta as part of his course leading to a degree in Doctor of Laws.

In his address Dr Debono explained that over the years collective agreements started addressing other aspects rather than concentrating mainly on remuneration, such as health and safety issues, further training and the introduction of family-friendly measures. He added that these new trends may prove beneficial in reaching the EU 2020 targets which among other things aim for a substantial increase in the female participation rate at work.

It is estimated that 35% to 50% of the local workforce are covered by collective agreements. The Director for the Centre of Labour Studies expressed his concerns about the rise in the number of tailor-made agreements signed on an individual basis instead of collective agreements. According to him, this may lead to some form of discrimination among colleagues.

The book gives an overview of the history of collective agreements in Malta and proposes an updated version for the model agreement signed in 1967 between the GWU and the Malta Employers’ Association.

Dr Andrew Borg Cardona and Dr Joanne Vella Cuschieri who along with Dr Debono were invited to endorse the book described it as a good reference in dealing with the legal aspects of industrial relations. Dr Borg Cardona raised the point that the issue of union recognition is a frequent source of concern among employers as it is open to interpretation due to the fact that it is completely absent in the 2002 Employment and Industrial Relations Act.

GWU Secretary General Tony Zarb concluded the event expressing his deep satisfaction for this highly-specialised publication written by one of its upcoming senior officials. He said that the union has a bright future ahead, announcing that 1,000 University and MCAST students, together with another 175 from ITS, recently enrolled themselves in the GWU.