Changes in law would weaken union - Zarb

General Workers' Union general secretary Tony Zarb told the general assembly of the International Labour Organisation yesterday that the amendments proposed by the Industrial Relations Act would weaken the union.

He said the majority of workers involved in the provision of services which were being declared as essential were members of the GWU.

The schedule listing essential services in the Industrial Relations Act had been broadened to an extent that hundreds of workers would now be deprived of their right to strike, he told the general assembly, held in Geneva.

In addition, the government had not aligned the proposed act with the definitions and recommendations that ILO applies to what should be considered as essential services.

"We are not at all surprised by the government's behaviour as it is today repeating its intentions of August 1999 and once again is not heeding the advice of the ILO," Mr Zarb said.

In August, 1999, the government and the union clashed over actions which arose following a union recognition issue at the airport.

The GWU is organising a rally for the GWU's public services' section on Tuesday at 5.30 p.m.