SOME GRTU SUGGESTIONS WERE SENT BACK WITHOUT BEING READ

The GRTU is incredulous by the false claims of the National Euro Changeover Executive Committee as appeared in the Media.

GRTU input on various committees particularly on the IT Task Force is not being reflected in the documentation being published. Furthermore, GRTU had run a survey in anticipation of the various committees, issues and concerns which it has tried to give to the NECC. NECC refused such report as it said it has to pass through the structures within NECC. This when their was a deadline just two days after the task forces were formed. Such report had to wait weeks and weeks in order to find another occasion to represent these issues and concerns

The GRTU is incredulous by the false claims of the National Euro Changeover Executive Committee as appeared in the Media.

GRTU input on various committees particularly on the IT Task Force is not being reflected in the documentation being published. Furthermore, GRTU had run a survey in anticipation of the various committees, issues and concerns which it has tried to give to the NECC. NECC refused such report as it said it has to pass through the structures within NECC. This when their was a deadline just two days after the task forces were formed. Such report had to wait weeks and weeks in order to find another occasion to represent these issues and concerns.

Also the GRTU in its capacity as Chairing the Pricing Task Force presented a report in a predefined template by NECC, a report which arrogantly enough was sent back to it as the person in charge required specific dates on certain issues. As was explained on various occasions this was not possible in view of the way of operation of NECC itself.

GRTU reiterates, that as the Parliamentary Secretary confirmed, it was never consulted on the Euro Adoption Act. This was placed on the table prior to the private sector being represented on the NECC advisory committee. The Bill ignores all the issues that were discussed within the various committees.

Furthermore, the NECC Executive Committee members were telling the sub committees to address all issues within the central committee. On the other hand the Chairman, quite rightly, said the central committee is there for strategic issues only. This resulted into a high lack of communication and that various issues were filtered or not reported. In this light, the GRTU claims on what basis does NECC claim that all its suggestions have been taken into account when there are suggestions that were never read by the NECC.

The NECC executive committee was aware that the current structure was not working. Reuben Buttigieg, the GRTU representative, has highlighted this on various occasions to the extent that a whole NECC session was organised in order to address the issue. Unfortunately, once again, the NECC preferred to try and sell its position rather than understand and address the issue. In fact two weeks, have passed and the NECC has failed to address the matter once again.

It is clear from the statements in the press that the NECC is not recognising the issues. In this light, the GRTU has no other option but to address the issues itself in ways it deems necessary to protect the interest of its members and to ensure the environment in which business operate is not threatened or harassed any further.

The GRTU has already explained its position and its concerns to Hon Tonio Fenech who understood the position taken by GRTU. The Parliamentary Secretary promised to address the matter at the earliest.