The Malta Labour Party yesterday accused the Union Haddiema Maghqudin general secretary of not speaking the truth when quoting from a document published by the MLP.

The MLP is referring to a press conference held on Monday by the UHM and the Confederation of Malta Trade Unions, which it described as the Nationalist Party’s allies.

During the conference, UHM general secretary Gejtu Vella, while referring to the MLP document Towards an economic and social regeneration, said that the MLP wanted to remove the workers’ yearly bonus.

“Gejtu Vella, the CMTU and the PN know that when they say this they are not telling the truth. This is because they conveniently do not refer to the introduction to the document because they know that their unfounded lie will be uncovered.”

The MLP claims that in the introduction, it is specified that the report is to serve as a basis for discussion within the MLP and with other sectors but does not bind the MLP to carry out the policies mentioned in it.

This, the MLP said, confirms that what Mr Vella said and what the PN repeated is not true.

The UHM, CMTU and PN know that the MLP document is just intended to stimulate discussion which should lead to an extraordinary general conference to be held later on this year.

During the conference, the MLP will adopt a strategic plan for an economic and social regeneration, a plan which will be adjourned over time according to circumstances.

The MLP condemned the attitude taken by the UHM, CMTU and PN. It also noted the approach taken by the UHM when the MLP was in government compared to that it is adopting today.

During the Labour administration, the UHM was always keen to organise protests. Nowadays, the UHM and the CMTU were against workers who felt the need to express themselves in protests against the government.