The General Workers’ Union has called on the next party in government to reverse the 2005 decision to stop compensating workers for public holidays falling on weekends.

The union was ready to accept the gradual re-introduction of the measure so it would be fully in place by the end of the next legislature, a GWU spokesman told The Times.

The government’s decision to stop awarding an additional day’s leave for public holidays which fall on a weekend, in a measure aimed at boosting productivity, had infuriated unions and workers.

The GWU had reported the matter to the ILO and claimed the organisation ruled in its favour but the government interpreted the ruling differently and the measure remains in place.

The GWU spokesman yesterday said the system could be re-introduced on a staggered basis, for example by adding one day to workers’ holidays each year.

However, the Malta Employers’ Association warned that a reversal would harm the country’s competitiveness. MEA director general Joe Farrugia said Malta already had a lot of holidays compared to the rest of the EU. “We are against this proposal. In the current economic situation in the EU it doesn’t make sense to work less,” he said.

Asked about the suggestion, a Labour spokesman said his party was examining all proposals made by various organisations, including the GWU, for inclusion in its roadmap towards economic growth.

The Nationalist Party said it was evaluating proposals made by members of civil society, trade unions and constituted bodies for the forthcoming general election during a series of structured dialogue meetings.