Twenty unions and associations have called upon their members to take part in a manifestation against “the increase in the water and electricity rates and the undermining of a constructive social dialogue”.

The protest march will be held in Valletta this evening at 5.15pm. The organisations are: General Workers’ Union, the Union Haddiema Maghqudin, the Confederation of Malta Trade Unions, the Malta Union of Teachers, the Malta Union of Midwives and Nurses, the Malta Union of Bank Employees, the Central Bank Workers Union, the Medical Association of Malta, the Chamber of Pharmacists, the Lotto Receivers Union, the Malta Union of Professional Psychologists, the Maltacom Union of Graduates, the Union of Cabin Crew, the University of Malta Acadamics Staff Association, the Airline Pilots Association, the EneMalta Professional Officers Union, the Union of Public Service Architects and Engineers, the Union of Professionals of the Planning Authority, the Association of Airline Engineers and the Mepa Technical and Clerical Union.

In a joint statement, the organisations called upon the participants to gather in Freedom Square at 5.15pm. The march will be headed by union officials, with the participants to follow behind them.

The demonstration will proceed down Republic Street, turning right onto St John Street and right again to Merchants Street. The participants will be asked to approve a resolution.

The unions said that they will be preparing slogans and asked the participants not to take personal initiatives.