The ILO report

The report published by the International Labour Organisation on the August 1999 incidents at Malta International Airport makes nonsense of the claim by the General Workers Union that its rights had been violated by the government during the industrial action that prevailed at the time. The GWU had ordered a strike at the airport over a union recognition dispute that it had with the government. The GWU had claimed that the police had brutally attacked around 80 union activists, arrested 38 of them and prevented them from striking.

The ILO report made it clear that it could not conclude that the government order evicting the striking workers or the corresponding police action were in violation of the principles of freedom of association. The report added: "Furthermore, there is nothing in the information provided to the committee which can lead the committee to conclude that the police used excessive force in their removal of the striking workers."

The report, which should actually make the GWU rethink its strategy used in industrial disputes, also says that the government's decision to prohibit a strike affecting an essential service did not restrict the union's right to strike. It also points out that there was no infringement of the principles of freedom of association when GWU officials were not allowed to address personnel from the airport fire fighting section.

The ILO also recommends that Maltese legislation should consider fire services as essential services, something which is already in the pipeline, and that national legislation on trade union recognition should be made clearer, and we hope the government takes note of this.

The ILO report should therefore be an eye opener for the GWU. Perhaps it was under the impression that the ILO would see eye to eye with it over its ridiculous claims. The fact is that in Malta trade union rights are not trampled on at all and unions are given the respect they deserve.

Last August's incidents caused by the GWU at the height of the tourist season were, however, totally unacceptable. First of all, there was absolutely no reason for a strike to be ordered over a union recognition dispute. A problem existed between the two unions involved, the GWU and the Union Haddiema Maghqudin and not between the GWU and the airport management. No industrial dispute existed, so the strikes were totally unnecessary.

Second of all the GWU ordered the fire fighting section of the MIA, which provides an essential service to the airport, to go on strike, and therefore knew that this would in effect close down the airport's operations. Furthermore, the GWU caused havoc when it tried to block the Marsa road to prevent a police bus containing arrested MIA employees from advancing. Besides all this, fire engines and ambulances were damaged by striking MIA employees at the airport. The police had an obligation to maintain law and order and it did just that - the ILO report confirms this.

This report by the ILO is a serious slap in the face for the GWU and one hopes that the union will learn a lesson or two as a result and that it will change its tactics in the future. Malta cannot afford to have any more incidents such as the silly ones we witnessed last August. The GWU needs to mature - perhaps this ILO report will knock some sense into it.

Sunday shopping

The government has so far opposed the idea of Sunday shopping being allowed in Malta and this stand has been supported by the GRTU which fears that such a trend would harm many of the small retail outlets that it represents. However, there are certain sectors of society that are in favour of liberalised shopping hours and these do not only include owners of supermarkets but also people who work awkward hours during the week, working women and genuine liberals who believe that we should be allowed to shop on a Sunday if we want to.

Instead of simply saying no to Sunday shopping the government could try and arrive at a compromise where the interests of consumers as well as small shop owners are protected. If we can purchase items at a chemist, buy petrol and newspapers and eat out at restaurants on a Sunday, then why can't we discuss the possibility of going shopping at a supermarket? Why, for example, can't a roster system be drawn up in which certain supermarkets are at least allowed to open on Sundays?

Of course there is the moral argument to consider, which is that Sundays should be a day of worship and rest. But shouldn't this be up to each individual's conscience? The bottom line is that society and society's needs are changing and the government should take this into consideration.