The list of topics proposed by the MCESD for discussion is one that is of immediate concern, Minister in OPM Carmelo Abela said today.
Abela was addressing a joint MEUSAC Core group and MCESD meeting at the Central Bank of Malta. The topic of discussion was Brexit and the European Semester for the coordination of economic policies across EU.
John Bencini, Chairperson for the Malta Council for Economic and Social Development (MCESD), opened the meeting by explaining that today’s “agenda was made by the MCESD and there are so many pressing subjects that have come in that I am unsure of what needs to be done in order to handle all these queries which are of national importance.”
Abela concurred: “when one looks at the list of subjects that this council should consider, it is surely not a list that can wait for months to pass by. As a government we recognise the importance and relevance of social dialogue and as the minister responsible for it I will work to strengthen it.”
He said that he will be giving priority to any socio-economic proposals and measures that are put forward by the MCESD and MEUSAC so as to maintain an open and honest dialogue. This will provide a more sustainable method for bettering Malta’s socio-economic status since sustainability and planning are key for the work that needs to be done.
“This meeting shows the work I will put out in order to see that there is more cooperation between the two councils. I will be looking into what model can be used so that MCESD and MEUSAC become even more efficient and have access to the right tools and resources that will better their operation,” Abela explained.
He emphasised the vital role that social dialogue plays especially now that we are going through another industrial revolution known as Industry 4.0. The changes that come with this revolution require a discussion on the structure and style that social dialogues should adopt; “we have to look at the pros and cons that this revolution will bring about with regards to economic models and the use of technology.”
Apart from using technology to our advantage, he believes that other important factors play a role such as the equal work for equal pay and sustainable development and they need to be discussed in further detail.
He addressed the topic of the European Semester which is at the base for economical communication between all the countries within the EU. Abela explained that nowadays the government has the responsibility that apart from noting the economic needs of the country, it must also respect the EU’s priorities for the coming year. “Last week the President of the EU Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, met with the Managerial Director of the International Monetary Fund (IMF), Kristalina Georgieva, in order to strengthen the communication between these two entities with regards to sustainable development.”
These measure at a European level were needed especially now that the EU is going through a period of transition due to Brexit, wherein United Kingdom left the EU at the start of the month.