Gozo and the MCESD

The recent marathon of talks between the social partners highlights in no uncertain way the importance of the Malta Council for Economic and Social Development as the venue for discussion and negotiation.

The major business bodies and trade unions are well represented in the council. Its tripartite configuration is completed by the presence of the government in the person of the topmost civil servant. The council is chaired by an independent chairman chosen consensually by all three parties. Because of the social aspect of the council, representatives of civil society are called in when discussions of a social nature take place. There are certain designated civil society bodies that may be called in.

The predecessor of the MCESD had been set up in the early 1990s and had been effective in the ongoing business of ensuring smooth industrial relations. As the president of two of the employer bodies, I had taken an active part in deliberations taking place therein. The council was never spectacularly successful, yet it effectively created a meeting ground for the social partners and some success was achieved through the work of the various committees set up within it. In due course the council was given a more important status when the social pact was added to it and because it was given legislative recognition.

Membership of the council is reserved for national bodies. Though this is desirable to give it status it creates certain anomalies. I refer to the absence of regional representation from Gozo. This is felt particularly in the context of the employers' side. While the unions represented on the council can claim to have representation in Gozo and therefore they might arguably claim to speak on behalf of their Gozitan members as well as their Maltese ones, the employer bodies cannot claim to have substantial representation from Gozo businesses.

This is further corroborated by the fact that Gozo business has felt it necessary to set up its own constituted bodies. The Gozo Business Chamber and the Gozo Tourism Association group together most of the business community in that island. They have long clamoured for representation in the MCESD and this request has persistently fallen on deaf ears. The result is that Gozo suffers a glaring representational deficit where social and economic development is concerned.

Take the recent discussions at MCESD level. Discussions were held and negotiations undertaken which would affect Gozo business. Yet, Gozo was not there to voice its particular needs and to contribute to the general discussion. In another context it is also likely that matters which are vital for Gozo might be put on the agenda without a Gozo representative being present.

The solution to this problem becomes easy if we truly believe in a policy of inclusion. A representative of both constituted bodies should be appointed without delay. If it is not possible to include two representatives at least one person can be appointed representing both. This would be recognising the regional status of Gozo while bringing to the MCESD forum the voice of Gozo business. It would also be most appropriate to include the association of Gozo's NGOs along with the number of civil society bodies listed in the law.

If this suggestion is taken up it would not only rectify a serious omission but would make the MCESD truly national and fully representational.