From Mr A. Casaru

I refer to Anthony Micallef Debono’s article: “Violence in Schools” (TMIS, 20 April).

While sharing similar views with Mr Micallef Debono on violence in schools and give credit to anyone who contributes to Occupational Health and Safety, I would like to point out that the Maltese trade unions did not cease to operate in the field of health and safety when Mr Micallef Debono left his post as general secretary of the Confederation of Malta Trade Unions.

Although his correspondence rightfully outlines the importance of an autonomous framework agreement, it may give the wrong impression that Maltese trade unions are not aware of such agreements.

This is certainly not the case. CMTU and GWU, the Maltese affiliates of the European Trade Union Confederation, have actively participated and collaborated at local and European fora concerning framework agreements.

Further, Mr Micallef Debono invites the Malta Union of Teachers to study the agreement as if MUT has never heard of framework agreements. Contrarily, MUT took an active role in a European project, organised by the European Trade Union Committee for Education on the Framework Agreement on Work Related Stress.

Besides being part of the steering committee, MUT hosted the closing conference that was held at the Dolmen Hotel last November. Delegates from all over Europe attended this event. Moreover, MUT is now working on another project organised by ETUCE on the Framework Agreement on Harassment and Violence at Work focusing on schools. MUT has already presented its position regarding this framework agreement in the union’s memorandum to political parties issued last February before the general election.

Anthony Casaru

International Secretary

MUT

Board member of the European Agency for Safety and Health at Work on behalf of CMTU