PM defends Bencini appointment

Prime Minister Joseph Muscat this morning defended his decision to appoint former trade unionist John Bencini as head of the Malta Council for Economic and Social Development. His defence comes as six of the MCESD’s members yesterday contemplated boycotting today’s meeting of the council in protest at Mr Bencini’s appointment. The objectors include the Chambers of Commerce, MHRA, MEA, CMTU and the UHM. Only the GWU and FORUM, the umbrella group of trade unions once presided by Mr Bencini, welcomed the appointment. When asked for a reaction to this protest, Dr Muscat stood by the decision, saying he was sure Mr Bencini would rise to the occasion. The objectors main bone of contention is that Mr Bencini was imposed on them by the Labour government rather than the decision having been made by consensus as it usually was. Dr Muscat said that the government had listed to the suggestions of the MCESD members before making a decision but added that the rationale behind Mr Bencini’s appointment was to have someone from the unions head the council. “So far we have had a situation where the chairman of the council always came from the employers, we feel that there should be a rotation,” he...