PN pledges to introduce new funding for unions, increase state aid
State aid for unions to increase from €58,000 to €100,000 per year
New funding will be available for all registered unions and social partners dedicated to research, policy analysis, and developing concrete solutions for the labour market, the Nationalist Party promised on Wednesday.
The new funding will be for all Maltese registered unions and social partners, capped at €100,000, depending on the number of registered members.
The proposal was announced by Nationalist Party leader Alex Borg, following a meeting with UĦM Voice of the Workers. Borg was accompanied by PN candidates Ivan Castillo, Errol Cutajar and Joe Aquilina.
Another proposal Borg announced was to increase state aid to unions and social partners, with the cap rising from €58,000 to €100,000 a year. The fund will be given out pro rata, depending on the number of registered members.
He said this state aid was first introduced under a Nationalist Party legislature. The aid aims to facilitate unions' collaboration with other organisations, participation in conferences and meetings, and training.
"The proposals will directly impact unions, providing them with more resources to continue their work, and indirectly impact workers, as they will have stronger and more effective social partners supporting them," Borg said.
He explained that the new fund will be used for "research, policy analysis, and to come up with concrete solutions for the labour market."
Borg explained that social partners play a crucial role in the country, and the PN plans to work closely with such unions.
He said the main issue unions face is a lack of human resources, and that providing such funds will help them become more efficient in their line of work to address work and policy issues.
"Social partners are crucial, and we want them to be effective partners, not simply there to rubber stamp agreements. We want to ensure they are partners with us in policies, who we will work and consult with."