‘If It Was Fine For The GWU, It’s Fine For Us’ – Activist Defends Budget Day Protest
Ramblers’ Association President Ingram Bondin reminded people about a 2005 General Workers’ Union protest as he defended plans to hold a demonstration against the proposed planning reforms on Budget Day – 27th October.
Bondin pointed out that the GWU had specifically timed its 2005 protest against layoffs, privatisations and high electricity bills to coincide with Queen Elizabeth II’s visit to Malta for the CHOGM.
“I remember [former GWU head] Tony Zarb saying that he was calling a protest specifically on that day because, according to him, Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi was ignoring the GWU in this sector,” Bondin said.
“Back then, Malta was facing serious industrial problems because it was transitioning from a closed economy to an open one and Tony Zarb was doing his utmost to draw attention to the state of play, queen or no queen.”
“We environmentalists will do the same to draw attention to the environmental disaster that these planning bills will cause, even though the Budget will be announced. If it was fine for the GWU, it’s fine for us too.”