The UHM Youths Section within the Union Haddiema Maghqudin (UHM) has said in a statement this afternoon that it would like to clarify that it is “disassociating itself from comments made by the Kunsill Nazzjonali taz-Zghazagh (KNZ) in the wake of the industrial actions by Gozo Channel workers ordered by the UHM.”
“While in agreement on the sensitivity of the present situation and the possible repurcussions such industrial action may bring about,” the Youths Section within the UHM continued, that it “believes that it is unfortunate that the KNZ has failed to acknowledge that such actions have been instituted with the sole purpose of protecting the very interests of the workers, workers who at the end of the day form the backbone of the Maltese and Gozitan economy.”
The UHM Youths Section said it is “concerned that the KNZ seems to be giving the impression that such industrial actions are somehow unnecessary in nature, thus posing an unnecessary risk on the Gozitan economy and on the Carnival celebrations but at the same time fails to recognise of the fact that industrial actions of these sort are only used as a last resort – thus when all other forms of dialogue and negotation have failed.”
The UHM Youth Section said it “understands that such industrial actions may not be as popular among the Maltese and Gozitan Youth during this time of year, however as members of the community we cannot simply ignore the plight of the Gozo Channel workers who, for the past 3 years, have been waiting on a new agreement.”
In conclusion, the UHM Youths Section isaid it “is hopeful that the situation be resolved as quickly as possible so as to cause the least of incovenience to the public.”