Prime Minister Robert Abela stressed the importance of responsibility and sustainability in the collective agreement negotiations with the Malta Union of Teachers, following the announcement of a strike action by the union.

On Friday the Malta Union of Teachers called a single-day strike for Monday 27 November together with further industrial action. The industrial actions will come into effect as from Monday 13 November.

Speaking during a Labour Party political activity on Sunday, Abela said that his party said it wants to substantially improve the working conditions of educators in its electoral manifesto.  

"We gave our word that day, we are keeping our word today and will continue to keep our word. Whenever we sat down at the collective bargaining table with various sectors of our workforce, we moved forward with two principles. Strong packages of working conditions, which included wages, but which were also responsible and sustainable. We need to be responsible and put forward sustainable measures as at the end of the day we are administering the country's funds, meaning that we as a government have a responsibility towards the whole country," Abela said.

"It is in this spirit of responsibility and sustainability that collective bargaining discussions with the union representing teachers must continue. Over the past months, we reached historic collective agreements. We gave the best wages and working conditions to nurses, ECG technicians, the police force that they ever had. We strengthened their collective agreements and working conditions. So there is no better proof of this government's willingness to improve the working conditions of workers. We reached new collective agreements in sectors where there never were collective agreements before," he said.

Abela said that in every case, "there was social dialogue around the negotiating table, where you listen, see what the expectations are, react with what the country can sustainably offer, discuss and reached agreement. I also believe that we can reach agreement with the Malta Union of Teachers as long as discussions are inspired by what we really want to obtain for educators."

Abela also spoke about investment in the education sector in general. "We inaugurated three new schools and intend to inaugurate more, as we believe our children deserve the best education facilities."

He spoke about the multi million investment in MCAST, and continuing to invest in education, especially when it comes to the digital sector.

He also mentioned the increase in stipend as stipulated in the Budget.  

He said that the government showed in the Budget that this is the party for workers, and is the party with socialist principles and roots

"We kept energy bills stable for families and businesses. We increased the children's allowance, we strengthened pensioners."

The government, he said, believes in wanting workers to keep their purchasing power. "That is how you work for the workers and families."

He said the budget showed the difference between the two parties, saying that the PN didn't even draft a pre-budget document, adding that the Opposition wasn't capable of analysing the Budget.

Abela said that on the issue of foreign workers, the PN is in confusion. "At night, a PN MPs said they would get the population numbers back to 2013 levels. To do that, it would need to kick out EU citizens and also kick out Maltese citizens," Abela said. "The next day,  another PN MP said that the country needs more healthcare workers and that they would kick nobody out. Later a third MP said that the country needs 60,000 more people. Three different versions, look at the total confusion," Abela said. "Later the PN Leader told carers for the elderly that he would kick them out if they don't pass a Maltese exam. The next day, a PN MP says that it is not true that the opposition leader said that," Abela continued.

Abela said on this issue, that only those who the economy needs, in sectors the country needs will come into the country, and that the control remains with the Maltese authorities. He said government will continue strengthening the functions of the authorities to remain in control of the situation.

He spoke of the economic troubles in the world. "Let us taker nothing for granted. No success comes on its own. Faced with the geopolitical and economic challenges the world faces, we must continue taking all decisions so that the country's economy continues to grow. Economic growth remains the key to social progress."

Regarding the Israel-Hamas war, Abela said he will continue to appeal in favour of actions that protect innocent lives. "I will continue appealing for actions that protect innocent families, of all those who without blame end up being killed."

He condemned the Hamas attack on Israel, but said that no right of self defence can result in retaliation through which innocent children, parents and civilians are massacred. He appealed for a permanent pause, a ceasefire in the middle east, for the two state solution, for peace to reign and atrocities to stop.