A loss of 10 places in an international corruption index is not an indicator of good governance, outgoing Malta Employers Association president Arthur Muscat said during the association’s annual general meeting yesterday.
In his address, Mr Muscat commented on particular local issues, as these are affecting the work environment in which Employers have to operate.
A statement issued by the MEA read: “Since, to a large extent, the MEA shares a common membership base with the Chamber of Commerce & Enterprise, it felt correct, and called for, to endorse the preoccupation expressed by the President of the Chamber on the critical issue of good governance. A loss of 10 places in an international corruption index is not an indicator of good governance. A strongly perceived regression in administrative transparency does not encourage local and foreign investment and the same applies to regulatory transparency which is such an important requisite for the health of the high employment financial Sector. Irrespective of investment benefits, unorthodox and outside the norm sale of public property does not contribute to business confidence. The integrity of Institutions and established procedures need to be nurtured and sustained. “
“Furthermore it is not commendable for Malta, to introduce within the EU legal environment, a Media and Defamation Bill that derives its inspiration from legislation in countries which have extremely dubious free information credentials.”
Reflecting on its relevancy to employers, the association reported a further increase in its membership base.
The commitment of the association to social dialogue, conducted through the Malta Council for Economic and Social Development, was confirmed. In addition, the MEA was not holding back from direct meetings with Government and unions in its effort to confront and resolve problems that periodically present themselves.
The president singled out a current impasse regarding many features, unacceptable to Employers, in Government’s proposed “Equality Act 2015” and the “Human Rights and Equality Commission Act 2015”. It was declared that the MEA will, if required, be pushing its opposition, to particular passages in these Bills, all the way to the Law Courts.
A current divergence with Government on the proposed arbitrary and ill-advised raising of the minimum wage, was the subject of intense discussions and negotiations. Employers were proposing to government and unions, different and more effective interventions to alleviate poverty.
The MEA commended the Ministry for Social Dialogue, for adopting in a law, many of the recommendations it made to tackle the disruptive problem of unregulated union recognition processes. Regulations are now in place that will allow employers and unions to peacefully resolve recognition issues.
The association expressed its hope that pending MEA recommendations on a reform of the Industrial Tribunal get due consideration.
PN statement
In a statement, the PN said that it insists the country needs leadership that brings back serenity to the country, "where there isn't a new corruption scandal revealed each day".