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We continue our occasional series on our EU partners with a look at one of the new entrants: Malta. Known by the British for its heroism in the second World War, in recent years globalisation has hit the economy while sharp divisions in society have been reflected in bitter inter-union relations. We reflect on attempts to heal the splits as EU membership holds out hope of improvement.
MALTA WAS THE SMALLEST of the new members admitted to the EU in May this year. A narrow victory in its referendum on entry followed by election success by the pro-EU National Party put an end to an argument that had been raging since 1990, the Labour Party having suspended Malta's application in 1997. This schism in politics is also reflected in trade union organisation where the largest union the General Workers Union (GWU), linked to the Labour Party, is a fierce rival of the next biggest UHM. UHM is included in the Confederation of Malta Trade Unions (CMTU) but GWU, with 54.9% of all union members, is not.
With the issue of EU membership settled and the effects of globalisation producing rising unemployment in the country, there are some moves to heal the rift. The Workers' Participation Development Centre has received help from the British TUC to encourage collaboration among the trade unions. This has borne some fruit in the form of joint signatures on collective agreements as well as membership of EU bodies and the Malta Council for Economic and Social Development which meets employers and the government.
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Maltese people & places: union leader Tony Zarb, Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi and the Grand Harbour at Valletta | |||
In May the GWU organised a conference entitled 'Working Together' to forward inter-union co-operation but, while several other unions took part, the UHM was not present. After the conference John Monks, General Secretary of the European Trade Union Confederation (ETUC), held talks with all the Maltese unions. He argued that with 63% of the country's employees unionised they should be in a strong position and that they must unite for the good of their members, their families and the country. His statement included headings for discussion at three-monthly meetings between them. At the same time a working group would be set up to create, with the help of the ETUC, a new confederation to include all trade unions.
Relations with the government are another matter: the GWU want to increase the pressure to do something about unemployment while the UHM want to agree a 'social pact' with them. The National Party are putting their faith in a National Action Plan, which was criticised by Tony Zarb of the GWU for involving too many organisations, and a convergence programme about which both employers and unions complained of lack of consultation Both will be presented to the EU.
In general the government sees EU membership as a progressive cure for Malta's economic ills. According to new Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi, the country is 'at the beginning of a new road'.
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