The government should control the price of essential items, like food, medicines and hygiene products, UHM Voice of the Workers said today.

In a statement, the union said the economic measures announced by the government earlier this week do not calm the chaos the country is experiencing.

UHM CEO Josef Vella stressed on the need for the government to consult with stakeholders before announcing economic measures, adding that such measures cannot come as a surprise.

Together, we need to see what measures are needed to lessen the impact on our families and jobs, Vella said.

“With the measures announced, and because there was no communication, we have more questions than answers,” Vella said.

Commenting about the sum the government will be giving per employee, capped at €800 a month, Vella said this amount is slightly more than the minimum wage. Many employers have been asking the union whether they should be capping their salaries with the minimum wage, he said.

While the measures are positive, they are not to safeguard the interests of the union, which is to safeguard the jobs and salaries of workers.

The union is concerned because more businesses will be taking drastic measures like closing down or sending their employees home on unpaid leave.

He insisted that the government should consult fully with the MCESD and announce measures that everyone would have agreed with.