Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1513303
12 maltatoday | SUNDAY • 17 DECEMBER 2023 OPINION AT this time of the year politics is put on the backburner as we make space for more joyous events with our near- est and dearest. It is also a time for re- flection about the past year's achieve- ments and shortcomings. Undoubtedly, my most notable achievement was the coming to frui- tion of the work I did in previous years about the common charger for digital devices and this year Apple launched the iPhone 15 with a USB-C stand- ard charging port in line with the new rules. Perhaps less notable but equally im- portant, was the adoption of the new roaming agreement which I had nego- tiated last year. We shall enjoy anoth- er 10 years in which we may roam like at home wherever we are within the European Union. The year started satisfactorily for the most vulnerable in society. Following my pressure, the European Commis- sion adopted legislation which en- sures we will no longer suffer from scarcity in the supply of medicines in the future. Amendments I proposed to the European Social Budget led to an increase in the funds available to assist vulnerable individuals who end up unemployed whilst a report I nego- tiated on rights of persons with autism received near unanimous approval in the European Parliament. I look for- ward to the transposition of this re- port into a directive. Digital rights were once again in focus this year. In February, I led the adoption of the S&D's position paper on the digital transition. I have also actively pushed for the vote on the AI Act and negotiated a report approved by parliament about the introduction of measures to prevent children from becoming addicted to staying online. Another initiative ensured that online purchases become more secure. The conclusion of the work on the European Act on Media Protection by the IMCO committee resulted in the adoption of significant measures whilst my work on the Industrial Emissions Directive brought about revisions which will reduce its impact on local farmers. On a domestic level, I am satisfied that the European Om- budsman accepted my petition that individuals selected to serve on behalf of the Commission in Malta must be able to speak the Maltese language. I am also proud of my initiative to use funding allocated for resources to distribute trees to embellish various villages around Malta instead of buy- ing stationery and other insignificant items. The work done during the last year will also lay the foundation for more achievements next year. My appoint- ment as a lead negotiator in the Trav- el Package Directive will allow me to ensure that this directive will not neg- atively impact Maltese travellers and businesses, who are reliant on air trav- el for their connectivity overseas. Work on the adoption of an EU law to govern the mechanism which sets the minimum wage is ongoing and will hopefully be concluded in the near future. An alliance of MEPs which I aided to setup this year will work for the better regulation of psychedelic medicine to achieve the full potential of these unique drugs. I will also fol- low up on this year's petition to the European Commission to promote the rights of fire fighters, and the need to ensure that civil protection services are appropriately staffed. Last but not least, I took various in- itiatives to combat factors which lead to unfair increases in prices in Malta, particularly food prices. I am not sat- isfied with what I have achieved as yet throughout the last year, and I prom- ise that my work will continue unabat- edly in the coming year. I shall focus even more on those areas which are most relevant to the Maltese consum- ers, especially the most vulnerable in society. The uplifting mood of the festive season stimulates us to be more com- passionate with others, not least by donating to those in need. These no- ble acts undoubtedly increase social cohesion, yet cohesion at all layers of society is important throughout the year, not just at Christmas. Unfortu- nately, vociferous speakers from right leaning parties are increasingly resort- ing to sensational and baseless claims especially about crime and migration. Sensationalism favours hatred and fear - not social cohesion. Alex Agius Saliba is a Labour MEP part of the Socialists and Democrats Social cohesion is paramount Alex Agius Saliba socialistsanddemocrats.eu/ WHEN discussing representation of edu- cators, this year's highlight was surely the one-day strike of 27 November with an overwhelming participation rate of 97% of educators in State and church schools. When comparing this action with all representations carried out by MUT during 2023, the strike is just the very tip of the iceberg. The underlying work carried out by the union is considerable and mostly unnoticed. Collective rep- resentations, especially when these es- calate to the point that industrial action is required, make news but the day-to- day assistance to individual members and groups will never be featured an- ywhere. There is also the confidential aspect in dealing with individuals and particular situations concerning them. The landscape of our sector has be- come increasingly complex and all discussions including negotiations on agreements often seek ways to balance the work carried out by a number of grades with varying roles, qualifications, expertise and aspirations. The work at an individual level is on the increase as are the different levels of support offered by the union. Whilst trade union representation and support remains a predominant service in assist- ing members, in the past years MUT in- troduced a psychosocial service to sup- port members' needs which go beyond trade union issues. The uptake of this service is on the increase. Then it comes to comparisons, which may be odious but are stronger than ever. The time is up when conditions of work within the different compart- ments of an institution do not affect one another. When job security is no longer the main catalyst and job mobility forms the basis of individual decisions, it is inevitable that educators compare em- ployment conditions. Some educators seek to move to insti- tutions which pay more and have better conditions of work. Despite attempts, many become disillusioned as the num- ber of vacancies are often so limited that it would not be worth even trying to gain access. Others instead try to push so that the gains of one institution are transferred to another, stating that for the same qualification and level of work, an educator in an institution cannot be paid more than another one in a differ- ent institution. The situation becomes worse when both institutions are state- owned and educators rightly claim that the government is using two weights and two measures with its employees. The work of trade unions is changing. Although there are instances when a collective cause like the claim for a bet- ter financial package and conditions of work unites employees, most of the time individual needs take precedence. Even within a collective action, there exist several individual motives or driv- ers. These must be addressed through agreements, trade union representa- tions and support to members. The MUT shall continue to work to unite members towards collective goals whilst extending support to address the indi- vidual needs of educators. Marco Bonnici is president of the Malta Union of Teachers Representing the majority of educators Marco Bonnici