UHM founder Maurice Agius dies

Maurice Agius, the founder-member of the Union Haddiema Maghqudin (UHM), died yesterday, aged 73.

Mr Agius was the union's first general secretary when it was set up in September 1966 as the Malta Government Employees Union. He held the post until 1998 when the union's general conference appointed him permanent honorary president.

In a statement UHM general secretary Gejtu Vella said Mr Agius would be remembered as a determined trade unionist who never shied away from defending employees' interests.

"He saw the UHM grow from a sectorial union to a big general union," he said.

Mr Agius represented the union in Malta and abroad, and as recognition for his work he was named a member of the National Order of Merit in 1996.

"During the 32 years that he worked within the union, he always distinguished himself for his strong determination, not only to ensure that workers' rights were respected, but also to ensure dignity for workers and a better standard of living," he said.

Contacted by The Times, Mr Vella described Mr Agius as a man who had "vision, determination and courage".

"For him to have set up a union in the difficult social, political and economic climate of 1966 he had to have above normal stamina," he said.

Mr Vella described Mr Agius's death as a "big loss for workers".

He said he knew Mr Agius as a trade unionist and thanked his family for "lending him to us for so many years".

Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi paid his respects to Mr Agius during a discussion programme on Radio 101. He said Mr Agius was a true trade unionist - he not only defended workers' rights, but also had the courage to guide his colleagues in the best way. When the country went through difficult times, he gave his contribution for the benefit of workers and the whole country. Dr Gonzi said Mr Agius's work for the country would go down in Malta's history.

Opposition leader Alfred Sant saluted Mr Agius, whom he described as a skilled and committed trade unionist, always prepared to fight for the workers' interests.

"He was a gentleman who always told you how he felt," he said, Dr Sant said that, although he had not always agreed with Mr Agius, he had great respect for him.

General Workers' Union general secretary Tony Zarb said the news was a great shock for the union.

"He was a person who was always at the forefront of the trade union movement in Malta," he said, adding that Mr Agius had given his life to fighting for workers' rights.

"It was not the first time we worked together. We even attended conferences abroad together. He was always dedicated to the workers' cause," he said. Confederation of Trade Unions president John Bencini said Mr Agius was one of the greatest trade unionists Malta had ever seen.

"He led a campaign in the beginning of the 1980s, when there was a threat to free trade unions," he said.

Mr Bencini said Mr Agius would lead rallies at the Radio City, during which he gave speeches that were never speckled with animosity, but were always about reconciliation.

"He also made a big contribution to the CMTU," he said.

Mr Agius's funeral will be held at St Lawrence church in Vittoriosa, tomorrow at 8.30 a.m. The UHM's general headquarters will be closed in the morning for employees to be able to attend the funeral.