Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1461072
3 NEWS 17.3.2022 FROM PAGE 1 e debate was moderated by Cham- ber official Rachel Attard. Abela stood by his administration's efforts in implementing various polit- ical and judicial reforms mandated by the Counci of Europe, but said he will make it incumbent on MPs to live up to a "standard of rectitude". "Mistakes will surely be made... but rectitude must be the guiding principle. I won't instil fear in ministers to take decisions, but integrity and rectitude has to guide us in our daily work. ere are standards that I will insist on them following, and I am convinced we will reach these standards," Abela said. e Labour leader disputed claims that Maltese politics was dominated by clientelism. "Sure there's an element of parochi- alism, which incentivises voters, but I don't think the majority of the electorate sets out to seek out favours." Abela also said it was time to discuss reforms to electoral districts and full- time MPs, to see whether larger districts or a smaller number could weaken the element of clientelism present in demo- cratic politics. Grech instantly accused Abela of at- tempting to abscond from responsibil- ity for his ministers' wrongdoings. "He simply shifts the fault onto others, even his own ministers… he is telling them now that they will be 'making mistakes'," Grech said. e PN leader also charged Abela with using tax credits and COVID relief cheques mailed right in the middle of a general election, as nothing but the epit- ome of clientelism. "Is this good governance? Ministries are calling up voters and pestering them to ask them whether 'they need some- thing'… surely I won't be competing with you on giving people government jobs." Mandatory union membership Abela was immediately grilled on the Labour Party's proposal to introduce mandatory union membership. He remarked that many employees op- erate in working conditions that render them more vulnerable than others, and these people deserve such protection. He added that any decision to intro- duce mandatory union membership will be taken after consulting with social partners, including employers. "In the same way that we reached agreements with MCESD on other is- sues, we'll reach an agreement on this too," he said. Grech stated that union membership should not be imposed on workers. "We always believed in dialogue, that we shouldn't impose measures but rather reach solutions for everyone." On Wednesday several business lob- bies urged the Labour Party to withdraw its electoral proposal to introduce man- datory union membership for employ- ees. e Malta Employers' Association, the Malta Chamber of Commerce, En- terprise and Industry, and the Malta Chamber of SME said that the measure as proposed was "regressive and un- democratic," and would not in any way strengthen the state of industrial rela- tions and social dialogue in Malta. Transport Bernard Grech was questioned on his party's proposal to introduce a track- less tram system. He clarified that no bicycle lanes will be closed to make way for the tram, but added that wid- ening roads will not alleviate Malta's traffic problems. He said the trackless tram will oper- ate along the periphery of localities, making no sound and causing no envi- ronmental damage. Robert Abela acknowledged a spate of deadly road traffic accidents that happened over the past weeks. He said it was unacceptable to have a main road closed to traffic because of delays in opening the magisterial in- quiry. On the Labour Party's proposal for a metro, he admitted that the project is ambitious and would require substan- tial investment. "But the cost of doing nothing and keeping the status quo would be big- ger." Planning versus permit As moderator, Rachel Attard asked the two leaders whether it's time to rename the Planning Authority to the Permit Authority, adding that the gov- ernment agency was always something a political football. Abela said that the authority is auton- omous but ought to observe govern- ment's general guidelines. "e authority has autonomy and government can't interfere in its de- cisions. But the authority also has re- sponsibility to observe government's new priorities and operate in line with that strategy." Grech immediately commented on Abela's private dinner meeting with Gozitan developer Joseph Portelli. Portelli hosted Abela as a guest of hon- our at a dinner with other contractors days before a development of his was approved by the Planning Authority. "I have dinner with businesspeople, but not before a decision like that is taken," Grech said. Union membership should not be imposed on workers, Grech insists PHOTOS: JAMES BIANCHI (MEDIATODAY) Robert Abela Bernard Grech BUSINESS lobbies have urged the La- bour Party to withdraw its electoral proposal to introduce mandatory union membership for employees. e employer bodies, which consist of Malta Employers' Association, the Mal- ta Chamber of Commerce, Enterprise and Industry, and the Malta Chamber of SME said that the measure as proposed was "regressive and undemocratic," and would not in any way strengthen the state of industrial relations and social di- alogue in Malta. "e constituted bodies stressed that they are emphatically not opposed to trade union membership, and proof of this is that Malta has one of the highest trade union density on the world," the bodies said. e constituted bodies said that em- ployees are free to choose whether to become members of the union of their choice, and the bodies are unified in their view that no one, including companies, should be denied the right to associa- tion with a union or organisation of their choice or to opt to withdraw or dissoci- ate themselves from such membership. "is is a fundamental principle of any democracy which can never be tam- pered with. e bodies recommended that, rather than mandatory member- ship, trade unions should be assisted in becoming better equipped to attract more members through capacity build- ing initiatives." During a press conference, Director General of the MEA Joseph Farrugia delivered a presentation where he ex- plained that the Labour Party PL pro- posal goes against the spirit of ILO Con- vention 87, the United Nations Charter for Human Rights, the European Court of Human Rights and also the Maltese Constitution. On Monday, during a Malta Chamber of Commerce chat Finance Minister Clyde Caruana conceded forced trade union membership could pose logistical issues for stakeholders involved in the process. In its electoral manifesto, the Labour Party says that, in principle, it is in favour of making union membership mandato- ry and will kick off a discussion process with the social partners. Business lobbies urge Labour Party to withdraw electoral pledge on mandatory union membership