In a press release issued earlier this morning, the Union of Professional Educators accused the government of running industrial relations at the Ministry of Education worse than Joseph Muscat’s administrations. The criticism was direct at the Minister for Education Clifton Grima and Prime Minister Robert Abela accusing them of running monopolistic industrial relations. The trade union also accused Minister Clifton Grima of trying to undermine the trade union by discriminatory action.
The press release is being published below.
Abela’s Government Does Not Give ‘Peace of Mind to Workers’ – UPE
It is profoundly ironic, to say the least, to read the propaganda articles claiming that the Government led by Prime Minister Robert Abela gives peace of mind to workers. Ever since Robert Abela was chosen as party leader and was sworn to the premiership, workers in Malta started to experience repressive maneuvers reminiscent of decades past.
The Union of Professional Educators (UPE) can confidently state that there is no comparison between how labour and industrial relations are being conducted under Robert Abela and the way they were handled during Joseph Muscat’s term in the helm of the country.
Amid both good and bad press, Joseph Muscat demonstrated an ability to understand trade unions and to work proactively in favour of workers, including educators. Unfortunately, the same cannot be said for the current Prime Minister who appears oblivious to the challenges educators face on a daily basis. Simultaneously, he seems doing his utmost to undermine a trade union that represents grassroots educators. Abela and his ineffectual education minister, Clifton Grima, have not only tried to muzzle educators’ fundamental rights to freedom of expression but have also vowed to stamp their right to freedom of assocation.
In this light it is deeply concerning to note that both the Prime Minister and the Minister of Education seem willing to bow to pressure to maintain monopolistic industrial relations in education.
The Union’s position is clear: with Robert Abela as Prime Minister and Clifton Grima as Minister for Education, workers within the educational sector cannot have peace of mind. This position reflects the indifference which this government has shown to several Ombudsman decisions condemning it for its inaction and its failure to provide basic rights. Worse still, the Government has repeatedly failed workers by imposing anti-union actions within schools and restraining educators from speaking publicly about their concerns. At least, under the premiership of Joseph Muscat workers were not labouring under the various forms of repression which the current Prime Minister seems unwilling – or unable – to address.
Regretfully, the UPE has to acknowledge its experience of this premiership and it is not a positive assessment at all. Educators and workers’ rights are not safe under Robert Abela’s “leadership”. It is time for all concerned to wake up and smell the coffee.
Website Editor
Historian and Publisher
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