This is happening because international markets are affecting the way we live. There are some issues over which Malta had no control but, Mr Sammut said, “there are others that we could have avoided if we had been more careful over financial administration”.

For a long time the GWU has been worried about the situation, and had done its best to make its voice heard so that the weakest members of society would be protected. “It is not acceptable that the weight of (mistakes) is carried by those who always gave Caesar his dues,” Mr Sammut said.

The bitter medicine must be taken by one and all if we are to get back on our feet, he added. It is wrong that whoever is responsible is not held accountable for his behaviour.

If we want to be credible, said Mr Sammut, everyone must shoulder responsibility, but those who should be affected the least are the workers and the pensioners.