Unions join forces in pension skirmish

The contents of an unpublished report by the Pensions Welfare Commission has led social partners to conveniently combine forces and warn over the threat to pensions.

Contents from the leaked pensions report are being highlighted by the unions, who are saying that they find the pension salary proposals to be unacceptable. The first announcement on the pension was made by the General Workers’ Union, who warned that they would leave no stone unturned in blocking any of the proposals made in the document. Feeling left out, the Union Haddiema Maghqudin followed suit also, stating the salary pension proposal was not to their liking. The Confederation of Maltese Trade Unions and the MUT have also expressed dismay.

Social Policy Minister Dr Lawrence Gonzi sounded irritate with the attitude taken by unions when speaking on Radio 101 on Sunday. He said he had not read the report but he knew that the social partners had leaked selected quotes from the report. He added that the report was up for debate and nothing was final.

The Pensions Reforms’ Commission, criticised for its lethargic pace, is chaired by former Central Bank Governor, Mr Galdes.