Eight trade unions and associations representing workers have written to the European Economic and Social Committee complaining that they are not represented on the Malta Council for Economic and Social Development (MCESD).

The unions, which form part of Forum, argued that the 3,000 workers they represent do not have a say on the MCESD.

They wrote to the European Economic and Social Committee after they said Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi failed to reply to a judicial protest they filed in court in December.

The unions which form part of the Forum are: the Malta Union of Midwives and Nurses, the University of Malta Academic Staff Association, the Association of Pilots, the Union of Cabin Crew, the Union of Airline Engineers, the Union of Central Bank Employees, the Union of Architects and Engineers and the Union of Architects and Engineers of the Malta Environment and Planning Authority.

In their letter to Anne-Marie Sigmund, who leads the European Economic and Social Committee, the unions explained that the workers they represent are not represented on the MCESD, Malta’s negotiating platform.

They asked the committee to intervene.

Forum’s legal consultant Chris Cilia said the Forum will continue its efforts, both in Malta and in Europe, to ensure that it is represented on the MCESD.