Forum Unions Maltin expressed its backing for the Malta Union of Midwives and Nurse Employees (MUMN) which on Friday declared that it has no confidence in the former Union Ħaddiema Maqgћudin (UĦM) general secretary Gejtu Vella who was recently appointed as consultant on industrial relations by the government.

Forum president John Bencini stated that such an appointment poses a conflict of interest and is also unethical since Mr Vella is at the same time giving consultancy in the private sector. He added that this might lead to circumstances that might compromise negotiations in a collective agreement.

According to Mr Bencini, the former UĦM president had clearly expressed his “unlimited prejudice against Forum”, accusing him of hindering its bid to join the Malta Council of Economic and Social Development (MCESD) and the European Trade Union Confederation (ETUC). He added that Mr Vella had opposed the idea of some kind of local umbrella organisation embracing all trade unions, saying that such a proposal “was not on his agenda” and that “he preferred unions to compete among themselves rather than cooperate”.

The Forum president concluded that in such circumstances he has no confidence in Mr Vella acting as a government consultant in industrial relations whenever unions affiliated with Forum are involved.

On Friday, the Ministry of Health denied allegations made by MUMN president Paul Pace that Mr Vella was undermining the role of trade unions. On the contrary, the Ministry said that Mr Vella has vast experience in this field and is working closely with unions to reach an amicable agreement on several issues.