Enemalta Corporation is undermining the right of representation of its workers, the General Workers’ Union (GWU) is claiming.

It accused the corporation of awarding special leave to its worker representatives only when it saw fit and this, the GWU said, goes against international conventions.

Workers’ representatives throughout the world should have the time necessary to carry out their duties on the basis of the conventions and recommendations of the International Labour Organisation (ILO).

This organisation makes it very clear that those chosen to represent their fellow workers should not suffer from wage or benefit reductions while carrying out their duties. Moreover, these practices are also stated in the collective agreement between the corporation and GWU.

The union said that since the appointment of a new chief executive officer, Enemalta’s management is insisting that during discussions between the two parties, workers’ representatives have to take a day off to be present.

The GWU said it would let no one undermine the industrial relations practices that it has always enjoyed.