The General Workers’ Union yesterday expressed concern about price rises for basic essential objects. Preliminary results of studies conducted over recent months showed this was happening and it was low and medium wage workers who were worst affected.

The union said its concern was that on the pretext of the introduction of the euro, prices would continue to rise. It should be the duty of the authorities, particularly the National Euro Changeover Committee, to ensure that there were no exaggerated price rises.

The NECC should publish the results of studies being conducted by a private

company, which was analysing the price levels in the country, and what effects they were having on families.

The union said the reform in the ports should have led to a drop in costs for importers, but after more than a year, consumers had reaped no benefits. It appealed to the government to bring pressure to bear on EU countries to bring in better regulations and not allow Malta to remain at a disadvantage vis a vis the

common agricultural policy.

The GWU said it expected the social partners to raise the problem of price rises at the next MCESD meeting. It should not be the worker by himself who carried the

burden.