FOR.U.M warns against minimum wage freeze

"The FOR.U.M group of trade unions has expressed concern over reports that employers and some trade unions agree about not raising the minimum wage. The Times reported yesterday that employers and unions backed a pledge by Labour leader Joseph Muscat not to raise the minimum wage but instead take other measures to address related problems, including up-skilling and increasing employability while reducing utility tariffs. General Workers' Union general secretary Tony Zarb, whose union proposed a revision of the minimum wage in its pre-budget document, said any measure that improves the standing of those earning the minimum wage was acceptable to the union. "The GWU agrees with anything which would improve the position of those who earn the minimum wage, such as the promise to reduce the water and electricity bills that are crucifying everyone, especially low-income workers," he said. The Union Ħaddiema Magħqudin said it favoured more measures to make pay last, rather than impose new mechanisms that could distort the labour market. General secretary Josef Vella said the union would like any salary raises to come from increased productivity rather than by raising salaries...