The Union Haddiema Maghqudin (UHM) continued to meet with social partners to discuss a way forward on Active Labour Market Policy (ALMP) objectives.

The latest meetings were held with the Malta Hotels and Restaurants Association (MHRA) and the General Retailers and Traders Union (GRTU).

President of MHRA Tony Zahra said that social partners should be more actively involved in policy making and the document represents a good opportunity to make this happen. He said that Malta must increase its productivity rate for there to be the creation of wealth. Higher productivity can only be achieved through further investment in the labour force.

Mr Zahra expressed his concern about the significant number of students that fail to muster adequate skills after completing compulsory education adding that this situation must be quickly addressed "otherwise it is society at large that will suffer".

Vince Farrugia, Director General of GRTU, said the ALMP presents a number of valid proposals that will help spur economic growth. He said that the social partners need to anticipate upcoming threats by going beyond the traditional way of doing things.

Mr Farrugia said that Malta needs to remain abreast of developments in Europe and in the rest of the world since Malta as the most open economy in the world is subject to international economic circumstances and Malta’s internal economic policies are subject to decisions taken at EU level. UHM and GRTU believe that a professional approach to active labour market policy objectives can secure a successful economic climate for the upcoming generations.

Josef Vella, UHM’s Secretary General, explained the ALMP 2020 objectives and the benefits the economy stands to gain if this policy is implemented. Mr Vella reiterated that the ALMP proposals can only materialise if there is broad consensus among the social partners. He said that employers will be indispensable in ensuring a successful ALMP.