A categoric statement from the government that the cost of living increase would continue being given to everyone in full was expected by the General Workers' Union.

General secretary Tony Zarb told a union section conference that certain employers were saying they could not afford to give a five to seven euro increase.

Mr Zarb said employer organisations should be courageous enough to turn to the government, rather than weaken workers' conditions of employment. They should do this because it was the government which had burdened workers and pensioners.

Saying that in these difficult times the priority was to safeguard jobs, Mr Zarb appealed to delegates to continue working to prevent workers from facing any more hardships.

He said that certain employers were making their workers give a 70 to 80 hour week for 2.92 euros an hour. And more and more workers were accepting such conditions.