UHM presents pact document to MCESD

The Union Haddiema Maghqudin yesterday presented a copy of its social pact to the Malta Council for Economic and Social Development.

UHM general secretary Gejtu Vella maintained that the pact, drawn up after consultation with a number of focus groups, was the way forward.

"It's about time we start eliminating the harmful in-built systems we've been using along the years: there is a need to create a business friendly environment," Mr Vella said after presenting the document to MCESD chairman Victor Scicluna.

Among other things, the UHM is proposing that any increase in salaries should be linked to increases in productivity. It also proposes to cap any wage increases for two years.

The pact also urges the government to make a commitment not to raise direct or indirect taxation for three years thus safeguarding workers' income and keeping business costs down.

The 52-page document discusses how competitiveness could be enhanced, how to improve the efficiency of the labour market, and how to promote innovation.