I refer to your editorial Putting pressure (TMID, 11 November) in which you tried to point out the differences between the manifestation organised last Sunday by the Malta Labour Party and the one of the General Workers Union.

May I point out that your interpretation of the purpose of the GWU’s manifestation is misleading in that the GWU did not call on the people to the streets strictly in protest against the budget measures. As a matter of fact, through the manifestation the GWU wants to show the people’s concern, especially of the working class families, over the new utility rates that the government unilaterally decided to introduce retroactively as from 1 October.

As you may recall from several press statements issued by the GWU, the new water and electricity tariffs will not only put excessive pressure on the purchasing power of the workers and pensioners but will also jeopardise hundreds of jobs at a time when the industry is already facing the turbulences caused by the deteriorating international economic and financial situation. Also, taking people to the streets in manifestations is just one aspect of trade unionism. Street protests do not happen in Malta only. These are common and frequently resorted to by major trade unions and workers’ federations throughout Europe, with the last example happening in Italy some days ago.

I want to add also that for the manifestation several other organisations namely the MUMN, MUT, Alternattiva Demokratika, CNI, Moviment Graffiti, Zminijietna – Voice of the Left, etc have already expressed their will to take part. Despite this, the GWU would have been more satisfied had such a demonstration been organised by the whole of the trade union movement in Malta. Nonetheless, street manifestations remain the only means of voicing dissent after the government closed all other avenues by its unilateral decision.

Charles Vella

Media & Information Executive

General Workers’ Union

Editorial note: This letter was submitted before an agreement was reached by the major unions to organise one protest march in Valletta on Friday. As a result, the GWU manifestation scheduled for today was called off.