I refer to the comments made by the General Secretary of the Union Haddiema Maghqudin, Gejtu Vella, which were part of an article penned by David Lindsay under the title “UHM ready to restart social pact discussions” (TMID, 6 May). Mr Vella’s comments, as reported, merit a clarification as they portray a distortion of the truth.

I want to stress from the start that the General Workers’ Union is not and will never be against any discussions leading to a social pact. However, all the other social partners must shoulder the responsibility to ensure that all parties share the burden of such an agreement. The GWU will accept a social pact agreement that in itself will not be detrimental to the workers only.

Unfortunately, this is not the first instance in which Mr Vella attacked the GWU, especially, with the consequence of compromising any talks for conciliation between the local unions. If Mr Vella truly wants to create an amicable atmosphere within the industrial relations scenario, he should refrain from joining forces against the GWU on every occasion that arises.

Mr Vella, who should be on the workers’ side, knows perfectly well that if the GWU were to accept the social pact as proposed way back in 2004, it would have committed the workers only to carry the social burdens and consequently leading them to a drastic decrease in their conditions of employment.

The GWU maintains that the way forward for all unions is to genuinely seek ways and means to enhance trade union collaboration in the best interest of the workers.

Therefore, if the trade unions, Mr Vella included, cooperate at least on issues common to each other with a single and united voice, they would be doing the much-needed service to all the workers they represent. The GWU on its part declares once again that it is committed to this responsibility.

On the other hand, the incorrect shifting of the blame onto others leads nowhere except to increase disunity within the trade union movement, which in the end would strengthen the employers to the disadvantage of the working people.

Charles Vella

Media and Information Executive

GWU

Valletta