Mr Scicluna and Mr Zarb agreed that the union’s report, which had been compiled with the assistance of former MCESD chairman Prof. Edward Scicluna, could not have been presented at a more appropriate time, with the social partners sitting on the MCESD discussing the country’s competitiveness and the basis of a tri-partite social pact.

Mr Zarb expressed his hope that the union’s proposals are used during the discussions at MCESD level. He said the union will soon present a copy of the report to employers and the political parties in order to fuel debate.

Mr Scicluna said he agreed that the timing could not have been better, and added that he could not comment too much about the report and its contents because he had not yet read it.

However, he said, he was convinced that the report and its recommendations would fuel the debate currently under way at the MCESD.

He thanked the union for its efforts to urge the social partners to discuss such an important matter as job creation.

Meanwhile, the social partners sitting on the MCESD are expected to hold marathon meetings today, tomorrow and Monday.