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2 NEWS 21.9.2023 FROM PAGE 1 "We applaud Ozo Group for inviting our organisation into their business, and value their transparency in sharing their history and business model. This enables Slave-Free Alli- ance to accurately assess and support their efforts in ad- dressing exploitation, high- lighting areas of risk as well as best practice," she said. The partnership was an- nounced on the same day as the signing of a new collec- tive agreement between Ozo Group and General Workers' Union. CEO Fabio Muscat said Ozo Group was already the first Maltese company in this in- dustry to sign a collective agreement with the GWU back in 2014, providing workers with a consolidated set of rights over and above those required by law. Muscat stated he welcomes government regulation for temping-agencies, stating regulations will benefit the market and weed out abuses. He said the economy needs foreign workers, and with- out such human resources a number of the country's in- dustries would not function. "These regulations will ben- efit the market and will help weed out abuses," he said. During the signing ceremo- ny, the HR director of Ozo Group underlined that all of the company's employ- ees were paid more than the minimum wage and given an additional discretionary al- lowance. "The company also of- fers employees three work- ing days of leave in cases of personal loss, including the loss of an unborn child, and a specific policy to address grievances and discipline in a way that prioritises educa- tion over letting people go," he said. Ozo Group and General Workers' Union sign new collective agreement From left to right: Mary Grace Calleja (Shop Stewart), Mario Muscat (Ozo Group Chairman), Kevin Abela (GWU secretary for food hospitality section), Josef Bugeja (General Secretary GWU), Rachel Hartley (Consultancy Director Slave-Free Alliance), Fabio Muscat (CEO Ozo Group), Tom Frost (SFA Advisor) IN an MCESD meeting, the social partners presented their 2024 budget priorities and proposals. e meeting featured the active participation of key government figures, including the Minister for Finance and Work, Clyde Caruana, and the Parliamentary Sec- retary for Social Dialogue, Andy Ellul, who welcomed these vital contribu- tions from the social partners. Mark Musù, the Deputy Chairper- son of the MCESD, presided over the meeting and provided a compre- hensive explanation of the process through which the MCESD receives and assesses proposals from its mem- bers, the Social Partners. He under- scored the significance of categorising these proposals into themes, a pro- cedure that facilitates more efficient discussions and decision-making. To shed more light on this process, Dr. Gordon Cordina, the MCESD's appointed expert, delivered a pres- entation during the council meeting. He revealed that the social partners' proposals had been meticulously grouped into 14 distinct thematic categories, comprising a total of 80 measures. Council members were urged to of- fer their perspectives on these meas- ures' significance and priority levels, ensuring a consensus among all stake- holders, which includes unions, em- ployers, the Civil Society Committee, and the Gozo Regional Committee. After Cordina's presentation, social partners held in-depth discussions with the government representatives about their Budget 2024 proposals. e discussion enabled a thorough examination of the presented ideas, fostering a greater sense of mutual understanding among the social part- ners. Caruana emphasised the strategic importance of the 2024 Budget in addressing international challenges. He stressed that the budget not only demands courage but also offers a clear strategic direction for the years ahead. Ellul reiterated the government's strong belief in social dialogue and its commitment to further strengthening this area. e MCESD characterised this meeting as a momentous occasion for the country's future. e social part- ners presented concrete proposals in national interest. is meeting between the social partners and the government repre- sents a significant step in the process of shaping the 2024 budget. It serves as a prime example of the vital role of social dialogue and collaboration among the social partners in ensuring that the budget aligns with the needs and aspirations of the people of Malta and Gozo. Budget 2024: Social partners present proposals to the government Finance minister Clyde Caruana (above) addressing the MCESD meeting

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