The General Workers’ Union submitted proposals yesterday for Malta’s national strategy in the event of pandemic flu breaking out and also on the amendments to job laws, in two separate meetings with Health minister Louis Deguara and Employment minister Louis Galea.

In the meeting with Dr Deguara, the union said that all public entities should have a contingency plan to continue providing essential services, while a national centre should be set up to provide all the necessary information on the subject.

The union also said that the government should set up a fund to make good for man hours of work lost, as well as commercial activity.

The GWU said that Dr Degaura’s explanation of the government’s plans showed that they were going in the right direction.

The minister also said that the union would be informed of any developments that take place, both on a local and international level.

Meanwhile, in its meeting with Dr Galea, the union was given information on the proposed reform to the Employment and Training laws. The union did, however, express concern over the way amendments could affect collective agreements in particular.

As a result, it was agreed that more meetings will be held between the same two factions. Dr Galea pledged to take into account all proposals put forward by the union.