Chris Said says PN will be the workers’ party

PN leadership contender Chris Said yesterday told the UHM Voice of the Workers leadership that, should he be elected Nationalist Party leader, the PN would become the workers’ party. Said said that the “workers will be at the heart of the party” and that he will establish a very close relationship with the union.

UHM secretary general Josef Vella spoke about the independent nature of the union but emphasised that communication with political parties is necessary, since similar interests overlap. Vella said that, “whoever is leader of the Nationalist Party should continue to enforce and encourage this relationship with the union.”

Said said it is important the Leader of the Opposition to be in close contact with one of the most important unions on the island. He then went on to talk about the various issues that workers have at the present moment.

“There is always a need for unions. You of course meet workers who are happy with their working conditions. Yet there are some who suffer below adequate working conditions. You find instances where the employer will tell the employee, ‘you can either stay in these conditions or if not I’ll just employ a foreigner instead’.”

Said added that although there had been great advancements for woman at the work pace, which is resulting in positives results for our economy, improvements are still needed.

“Statistically in Malta, Woman’s wages have gone down by 30 or so places compared to other countries in the world.

“As politicians we need to delve into these issues and do this by working with workers union.”