The Malta Federation of Industry is extremely concerned by the position being taken by the Malta Chamber of Small and Medium Enterprise (GRTU). Yet again, the GRTU is using the threatening mantra of a union to paralyse the economic activity of the country by issuing a directive to its members operating as cargo hauliers at the seaports for further industrial action.

This industrial action, which is halting all container traffic to and from the ports, comes at a time when the economy of the country is in a fragile situation and where companies are being expected to compete within hostile international scenarios.

The Malta Federation of Industry strongly objects to the GRTU's attitude and actions, which have greatly disrupted locally-based manufacturing operations, not to mention the serious economic and social repercussions arising as a result.

Senior FOI officials have been urging GRTU to immediately change its tactic and stop this unnecessary disruption. The solution for any industrial problem does not lie in militant activities but in discussion with the respective authorities and stakeholders.

The GRTU should well know that its tactics will only create additional hardship on the workers, and will never be converted into economic prosperity.