Mr Zarb was speaking at a press conference during which the union made public its position on the proceedings at the Malta Council for Social and Economic Development. Workers have been burdened with a lot of taxes over the past years and cannot be made to carry more, he emphasised. The raising of VAT from 15 per cent to 18 per cent and its introduction on medicines, the eco-tax and the fuel price hikes, are taking their toll.

On top of this, workers have ahead of them reforms in the welfare system, the pensions and health services, he added, stressing that these all meant more burdens to be carried by the workers. “After all, it is not the workers’ fault that the country’s economy is in its

present condition.”

The union also made public its position with regard to the social pact that is presently being discussed at the MCESD. The union is insisting that the compensation for the cost of living increase should still be given.

The term of the social pact should be three years, Mr Zarb added, and the increments given through negotiations over the collective agreement should be given as cash payments along with the January wages. And such increments should be tax-free, the union insists.

Furthermore, it is asking that special provision should be made for those who have reached pensionable age when the pact is signed. These people should still receive the increment, as if they had received it before they stopped working. The union also asked that the present collective agreements remain valid as they have been agreed and that government binds itself to introduce taxes only if they are agreed with all social partners.