Government cannot take certain decisions on its own - UHM president

Gejtu Tanti, president of the Union Haddiema Maghqudin, yesterday stressed that his union would strongly oppose any kind of imposition.

Speaking during the UHM Summer Fest at Qawra which opened last night, Mr Tanti said the union was concerned with the way Government was dealing with issues of industrial relations.

"We seem to be in a situation where the government does not seem to want to negotiate anything. Even the structures set up supposedly to hold negotiations were making it impossible for any kind of agreement," he protested.

The UHM is currently involved in dispute with a number of public entities, and though it was prepared to dialogue it was determined to protect its members' interests.

Mr Tanti said that political bickering led to the postponement of several important decisions, while others were shelved. Now the time had come for the country to take certain tough decisions.

But such decisions needed to be taken in conjunction with the social partners, and the government would be mistaken if it thought it could take certain decisions on its own, he said.

The two-day UHM Fest, consisting of discussions and features information stands, Maltese food and entertainment for all the family, with well-known singers. It continues this evening near Ta' Fra Ben Restaurant in Qawra.

Taking part in today's discussion are Nationalist MP Jason Azzopardi, Labour MP Evarist Bartolo, AD chairman Harry Vassallo and the UHM's Gejtu Tanti.