On Wednesday morning, Independent MP Marlene Hassan Nahon met with executive members and activists at Unite the Union.

Ms Hassan Nahon says it is vital to foster a healthy relationship with workers unions in our society because “in any democracy it is imperative for individuals to organise as a collective to advance their rights.” She added that “nobody should underestimate the role of unions in the shaping of our society and the continuing functioning of it.”

A statement continued: “However, it is quite clear that there are several examples of exploitation, miscommunication, and lack of foresight, which is leaving many workers in precarious situations. Our vital health sector, for instance, is being diluted by external recruitment agencies who are undercutting wages, demoralizing those contracted centrally, and are offering unstable contracts for the new workers themselves. It is right to be prudent and efficient, but it is also right to manage our public health system as an invaluable service, and not a playground for privatisation.

“It is not productive or efficient to undermine morale at any work place. This is not only happening in the health sector though. Across the board there are more positions taken by recruitment companies with workers on limited contracts, while the worker who has done their hours for several years may still be on temporary contracts, when they should be made permanent.

“It is a wonder what came of the future job strategy. Have recruitment agencies replaced this once popular initiative? The youth are our future and current workforce, and they require security and long-term planning. Similarly, older generations are concerned, especially those who worked in the private sector. Promises have been made to private sector pensioners but very few have been delivered. While it is important to welcome the progress made for those at the bottom of the income bracket, further means testing in private pensions and community care may ensure that people who need the help get the level of help they need.

“The Gibraltar Socialist Labour Party/Liberals will be in dire need of a change of name if things do not change soon. They are introducing market logic to state apparatus. Conservative governments in the UK will be proud when they find out that we're implementing similar policies here in Gibraltar under this so-called 'socialist' Government.

“Socialism means that the state is owned by the people and sustained by their labour, the fruits of which they should enjoy. I await to see any Government ministers to show me a socialist who supports private recruitment agencies and piecemeal pension reform.”

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