“Actions need to be taken to restrore the country’s credibility”.  Josef Vella, Chief Executive Officer of UHM Voice of theWorkers stated this when he was one of three guests during theprogramme Realtà, aired on TVM on Monday 14th Septtember2020.

Josef Vella commented on the Pre-Budget Document whichwas presented by the Government a few days ago. He said thatthe Budget for next year will be presenting more challenges thanthose depicted in previous years. We  are currently goingthrough the COVID-19 pandemic and here the CEO of UHM Voice of the Workers stated that it is crucial not only to tacklethe obstacles created by COVID-19 but we must see how we canturn these challenges into  opportunities.

One of the Budget proposals submitted by UHM Voice of theWorkers concerns people working remotely. This union viewsremote work as the future world of world. We must thereforetake the opportunity to strengthen the present infrastructure andmake remote working even more possible.  He said that remoteworking could be beneficial to the labour market, to the place of work, in terms of motivation and productivity and for reducingpollution in the environment. At  this point  in time, remoteworking is important to provide the much needed flexibility.

Josef Vella explained that in addition to the COVID-19 challenge, there is also the issue of good governance. He saidthat the Pre-Budget Document addresses the topics of governance,  the rule of law, national security and foreignaffairs. Josef Vella stated that a Budget cannot be presentedwhilst ignoring these issues which also affect society. Hementioned that the sector mostly affected by COVID-19 isTourism. Moreover other sectors such as finance and, to someextent, iGaming, are being hit hard not because of the pandemicbut because of problems in good governance, the rule of law andwhat is emerging  from cases being heard at the Law Courts. Josef Vella said that Pre-Budget Document is somehowacknowledging this but not enough is being done. “We want tosee action being taken to restore the country’s credibilitybecause when it comes to the financial sector we cannot  expectto attract investiment if the country is not credible”, stressed theCEO of UHM Voice of the Workers.

Josef Vella said that  attention must be given to vulnerableworkers with health problems but attention must also be paid tothose who are socially vulnerable. This is so because the latterare suffering from reductions in their take-home-pay. He addedthat another injustice concerns workers who injure themselves at work. Josef Vella stated that due to injury-at-work, theseworkers  are not receiving their take-home-pay in full.

The Chief Executive Officer of UHM Voice of the Workersreiterated the  importance of the setting up of a portal wherebyemployment contracts, encompassing the basic minimumconditions, are registered and updated. He said that everyworker should have a written employment contract  because tothis day there are people who do not possess such a document. This portal is highly inportant  in order to safeguard workers’ rights.

The reopening of schools was also a topic discussed during theprogramme. Josef  Vella said that if schools remain closed, oneof the parents cannot go to work and has to stay with  thechildren at  home. Consequently, less workers will perform at their workplaces and production will decline. UHM Voice of theWorkers is concerned about  the developing situation affecting schools. Government had  ample time during the past months todiscuss, with heads of schools, the best proposals and come upwith  the best action plan.

UHM Voice of the Workers is worried after it took note of theWHO’s declaration whereby it said that an increase in COVID-19 cases and possibly more deaths will be registered in Europeduring the months of October and November. This union isunderlining the issue of risk assessments in order to see underwhat circumstances can schools re-open. Josef Vella said thatUPE Voice of the Workers also stressed that there should be more dialogue on this with all the relevant stakeholders.

The Chief Executive Officer of UHM Voice of the Workersmade it clear that the union is not against the opening of schoolsbut is in favour of a plan that is communal to everyone. “This isa  matter of public health and  risk assessments  must  be  inplace so that  we do not face another crisis”, concluded Josef Vella.