Zarb warns new PM

General Workers' Union general secretary Tony Zarb yesterday urged workers to accept the union's invitation to take to the streets on Thursday.

Mr Zarb said that since the last demonstration on January 27, the unemployment figure had worsened and a number of workplaces had come under threat.

However, he said, the January demonstration had yielded results as the company IDS had been convinced to come to Malta.

Mr Zarb said the Labour Party and Alternattiva Demokratika had confirmed their participation in Thursday's demonstration.

Speaking during a rally for the union's activists, Mr Zarb said workers should go to Valletta on Thursday because the burden on them was increasing daily and there was no sector that was trouble-free.

About 60 people were present for the rally, held in a room where the council usually meets. Sources said it had originally been planned to be held in a larger hall with a capacity of well over 200.

Mr Zarb also had a message for the new prime minister, telling him he would regret it if he tried to ignore the GWU. He said that whatever the circumstances, the union would fight for the workers.

Mr Zarb said the GWU was joining European unions on April 2 in a demonstration in Brussels.

Union president Salvu Sammut said measures aimed at addressing the country's economic problems ought not to affect workers.