The failure of the social partners to agree on a social pact does not justify a status quo, the association said in a statement. In the absence of consensus, the gGovernment is obliged to weigh the different opinions and recommendations and decide on a package that addresses the problems facing the economy concretely. Debating who is to blame for the inability to reach consensus at MCESD is a waste of time. The result is what it is and it is time to move ahead.

The MEA stated that it was evident from the beginning of the talks at MCESD that consensus was a remote possibility. It even expressed this opinion when it issued its proposals in its document: ‘Generating Productive Employment – A National Priority’.

In this document, the MEA had explicitly stated that even in the absence of consensus leading to a social pact, the problems facing the economy remain and have to be addressed just the same. All the organisations present at MCESD made their utmost to reach consensus, but it is clear that there are differences of opinion on crucial issues between unions, employers and government that are irreconcilable.

However, employer bodies clearly expressed agreement to the draft package that was forwarded by the MCESD Chairman, and which was also agreed to by the Government side. It is now up to Government to act, if it believes that the contents of that package will safeguard employment and will be conducive to attract more foreign