Social dialogue and civil liberties in Malta An important plank in the electoral manifesto of the Labour Party that was elected into office in Malta in March 2013 was a strong commitment to facilitating dialogue between the country’s social forces and enhancing consultation with citizens. Another major pledge was to further promote democratic consolidation with the recognition of minority rights and diversity in its various forms. Social dialogue Despite the small size of the Maltese Islands and the closely-knit family relationships that are a characteristic feature of the local community, for successive generations, civic involvement and constructive forms of dialogue between the various forces of Maltese society in diverse aspects of local and national administration were, to a large extent, a rare occurrence. Rivalry and confrontation were not uncommon, particularly on issues that concerned the internal political situation or that were related to some aspect of the national economic strategy. Solidarity and social cohesion among the various sectors of the community were not also particularly strong during this period. When Malta gained independence in 1964 and the Maltese Government assumed direct responsibility for the island’s economic affairs and social progress, the introduction of more meaningful forms of collaboration and consultation to underpin the national growth process became necessary. This gradually allowed Maltese citizens to become increasingly involved in their country’s development. Since then, trade unions, employers’ associations, NGOs, traders’ organisations, co-operatives, local councils and special interest groups have come forward on many occasions with their views and suggestions on important matters facing the country. Perhaps in recent years the most notable example of this collective endeavour was the wide-ranging national debate on Malta’s proposed accession to the European Union. It is widely known that civil society played an active role in the formulation of Malta’s position throughout negotiations leading to the acquis communautaire and in the subsequent referendum on Malta’s membership in 2004. Set up in 2001, the Malta Council for Economic and Social Development serves as the national forum for consultation and dialogue between social partners and civil society organisations to advise the government on emerging issues related to the sustainable economic and social development of Malta. The council’s submissions to the government on the formulation of the annual budget are generally valuable as they serve to open new perspectives to the country’s policy makers. The Malta EU Standing and Action Committee (MEUSAC), which was reactivated in 2008, is another consultation body that has served the country in good stead. Among its other functions, the committee engages civil society in the EU decision-making process and manages this by means of discussions on the impact on Malta and on Maltese institutions of proposed EU measures. Besides strengthening these organisations to enable them to better fulfil their role in favour of economic democracy, the government is committed to launching other initiatives that are meant to widen the consultation process. This allows citizens to assist policy development by giving their opinion on proposed policies and influencing their direction. An electoral pledge of the labour government is the organisation of regular public meetings with ministers, where citizens can freely and publicly meet with members of the cabinet, question and critically scrutinise their work and address broad issues. The main aim behind these meetings is to promote connectivity and encourage a culture of engagement between the government and the people as an essential element for good governance and transparency. Above all it reflects a genuine cards-on-the table approach. The first round of such meetings, held earlier this year, was by all accounts a truly positive experience for all those involved. Other initiatives under the electoral manifesto that are due for implementation in the coming months include: • Improved access to information by citizens primarily by means of an online electronic system that will enable the public at large to put forward views and opinions, and to participate directly in and influence decisions and choices made by the government • The use of social networks to enable citizens to submit their ideas towards government policies and proposals as a means of widening and improving the consultation process Commonwealth Governance Handbook 2013/14 101 Helena Dalli
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