The left-wing think-tank organisation Zminijietna is marking Worker’s Day with a strong call on all political parties to commit, at both national and European levels, to strengthening collective bargaining.

Zminijietna stressed that “this goal can only be achieved through concrete measures that expand union membership. In this context, the organisation supports the request put forward by the General Workers’ Union (GWU) and UHM – Voice of the Workers, advocating for mandatory union membership of one’s choice. Those who opt not to join a union would instead contribute an equivalent fee to a social fund.”

Zminijietna noted “that the European Commission is urging member states to reach a 70% collective bargaining coverage rate. In Malta, however, unionisation stands at around 40%, underlining the urgent need for action.”

The leftist organisation highlighted that ”union membership remains particularly low in sectors such as hospitality, tourism, care work, and among gig and platform workers; areas increasingly marked by precarious conditions and weak worker representation.”

Zminijietna further proposed “that Malta should explore the introduction of sectoral collective bargaining agreements, particularly in platform work and the care sector, to ensure fair wages, improved working conditions, and stronger protections.”

Zminijietna concluded by calling on policymakers ”to take bold and decisive action to strengthen workers’ rights, advance social justice, and build a fairer, more democratic labour market.”

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