Training, workers’ rights and duties, as well as health and safety at the workplace were identified as areas of potential collaboration between the Malta Developers Association and the General Workers’ Union during their recent introductory meeting.
This collaboration is part of the GWU’s thinking for its partners and workers, who can continue to be trained both in their trades and in their present career as well as in other aspects related to the world of work.
The need for this collaboration is even more necessary just as the country is seeing an upturn in the construction industry, which looks to employ more workers to sustain its growth. Therefore, the MDA and the GWU are working not only to strengthen the rights and duties of workers but also to introduce quality training and a higher awareness of health and safety – including in the construction industry.
MDA President Sandro Chetcuti (fourth from left) with GWU Secretary General Josef Bugeja and GWU Deputy Secretary General Kevin Camilleri (fifth and sixth from left) with the other members of the MDA Council during the recent meeting. Photo: GWU.
The meeting was an opportunity for both sides to air their views on the sector. This collaboration will also serve for the two bodies to ensure that workers in the construction sector will be given the necessary training both in their trade as well as in health and safety at the workplace, in the context of the introduction of the Skill Card by the Building Industry Consultative Council (BICC), earlier this year.
MDA President Sandro Chetcuti said the thinking behind the meeting was for the two bodies, one which represented the major developers and contractors on the island and the other the largest trade union, to come to an agreement on how the interests of the owners and the workers in the sector could be protected and to work towards achieving higher standards in the industry.
GWU Secretary General Josef Bugeja said that the collaboration between the two bodies should leave a positive effect on the workers’ capabilities and skills, as well as leading to improvements in the conditions and quality of their work.
The MDA Council accompanied Mr Chetcuti, while Mr Bugeja was accompanied by the GWU Deputy Secretary General Kevin Camilleri.