The Union Haddiema Maghqudin yesterday advised against an election budget, saying it hoped that the budget for next year would be “serious and responsible”, which would not nullify all the efforts made by society during a relatively long period of sacrifices.

In a statement it issued after a consultation meeting with its delegates, in preparation for the formulation of its proposals for Budget 2008, the union said various points of sectoral and national interest were raised.

Points which were made with particular insistence related to the reining in of the cost of living, bank interests on loans made for the purchase of the first residence, worker education and training, the social benefits and pensions reform, and sustainability of the environment.

It said that in the coming days it would be making its proposals to the government, based on what the country could afford and on social justice.