The Union Haddiema Maghqudin will be organising a number of events over the coming year to mark its 40th anniversary, culminating in an extraordinary general conference in September.

In a statement, the UHM vowed to continue promoting workers’ rights and contributing to the country’s leadership as it has done since its inception. It promised to continue taking part in the drawing up of the national agenda and making concrete proposals. The idea of the social pact was one such suggestion made by the UHM.

The union has always been aware of the signs of the times and it has been proved right over the years, said the statement. “The UHM was one of the biggest supporters of Malta’s EU membership and its contribution helped make the dream come true,” it continued.

“We promote change and are not afraid of it. Change is the backbone of thriving econo-mies that offer the best wages, rights and standards of living,” the union declared, explaining that it was through change that the worker had progressed over the years.

“The UHM does not toy with the workers’ interests and its only goal is to safeguard their rights and those of their families,” the union said. It further pointed out that it is a national union, with no political ties, and it is not privileged by any party.

“History is repeating itself and it is the UHM’s responsibility to once again defend free trade unionism in Malta,” said the statement. The union made the point that it does not believe in winners or losers but in agreements that are fair. The protection of workers’ rights, job creation and the improvement of standards of living can only be safeguarded by serious, effective unions, it said.

“Maltese workers know which unions are serious and exercise good judgement, and that is why the UHM’s membership increases from year to year,” the statement concluded.

To mark the union’s 40th anniversary, a concert will be held at the Mediterranean Conference Centre. Details of this will be announced in the coming days. A programme of activities will be organised for May, and in August the UHM will be holding a family event.

This activity is held every year, but this year’s will be on a larger scale. Another series of events will be held in September and will culminate on 29 September, which is the day the union was set up 40 years ago. This will also include the union’s EGM.

A DVD documenting the history, beliefs and future of the UHM will also be launched, along with a new, modern website, and a number of conferences tackling various subjects will be organised.

The union’s roots go back to 1966, when it was set up for clerical workers. It was originally called the Malta Government Clerical Union. Salvinu Spiteri and Maurice Agius, who have both since passed away, were the first president and secretary-general of the union.

In 1973, the union expanded to include all government workers and became known as the Government Employees Union. It took the name by which is it known today – Union Haddiema Maghqudin – in July 1978, when it opened its membership to all workers, including those in the private sector.