Zminijietna – Voice of the Left said that in the next budget, workers should receive full compensation (COLA) for cost of living increases.

“To the contrary of the impression being given by some, COLA is legally binding and compensates workers for cost of living increases. Should the government accede to the proposal of the Malta Employers’ Association, namely that COLA should be tied to productivity, this would not only be illegal, but it would add even more problems to workers and their families to cope with the hefty increase in the cost of living,” said the lobby group.

“All workers and pensioners should benefit from the cost of living adjustment. To the contrary of what is being said by MEA, COLA is not related to collective agreements. The Collective agreement is a tool which can increase industrial democracy and reduce exploitation of workers at the workplace,” it said.

“Is MEA’s opposition to COLA adjustments for workers in collective agreements an attempt to reduce the strength of trade unions?” it concluded.