The Malta Council for Economic and Social Development (MCESD) is an advisory council that issues opinions and recommendations to the Maltese government on matters of economic and social relevance. In view of this, the MCESD’s vision is one of continuous improvement of Social Dialogue. We consistently strive to be the most effective catalyst between the Social Partners and the Government. Our ultimate aim is that, following consultations held within the Council, sound and concrete recommendations about socioeconomic matters will be heeded by the Government prior to any reforms or measures of relevance.
Essentially discussions that take place are very much influenced by what the Social Partners experience on a day-to-day basis. Thus, the topics up for discussion are determined by the external environment. Since the Government forms part of the Council, it too puts forward subjects for discussion upon which National Policy is often formulated. The Council is a tool for analysis and, at times, a catalyst for change. The fact that Union, Government and Employers’ Organisations get together to discuss issues of national relevance in a very frank way, is already a great achievement in furthering the development of Social Dialogue in Malta.
The Council’s success lies in the fact that the various representatives are open and ready to receive suggestions and feedback from their counterparts on the Council, while always remembering that it is Government which has the mandate to implement policy.
Membership to the EU has helped to give a better perspective on what is going on in member states within similar areas of interest, and the Maltese representatives on the European Economic and Social Committee have contributed to further developing such a relevant scenario for the Maltese landscape. Such information has also helped, and will help, the council in its deliberations on documents or reports that the EU itself has requested, such as Malta’s National Reform Programme, the Lisbon Strategy and the Sustainable Development Strategy.
Under the remit of the MCESD, there are two committees: the Civil Society Committee (CSC) and the Gozo Regional Committee (GRC), both of which, through their respective Chairpersons, have a seat on the MCESD. This ensures that the interests of civil society groups and Gozitan citizens are considered.
The Gozo Regional Committee brings together regional constituted bodies and it aims to promote new ventures for Gozo for it to be able to boost its social, economic and ecological sustainability. Furthermore, through discussions and proposals, the Committee addresses the constraints brought about by the double insularity of Gozo.
The Civil Society Committee within MCESD is unique in terms of its identity since it brings together various NGOs representing a wide range of sectors. It engages in timely and effective debates and discussions on matters that are of interest to the various groups involved.
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THE MALTA COUNCIL FOR ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT (MCESD) IS AN ADVISORY COUNCIL THAT GIVES RECOMMENDATIONS TO THE MALTESE GOVERNMENT ON ISSUES WHICH ARE OF ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL RELEVANCE. IN VIEW OF THIS, THE MCESD’S VISION IS ONE OF CONTINUOUS IMPROVEMENT OF SOCIAL DIALOGUE IN MALTA.
MCESD serves as a catalyst between social partners, civil society, the Gozo Regional Committee and the Government. It’s main aim is to ensure that sound and concrete recommendations about socioeconomic matters will be heeded by the Government prior to any reforms or measures of relevance. This is done following a string of consultations within the Council.
Social dialogue for a better quality of life for all
Discussions that take place are very much influenced by what social partners experience on a day-to-day basis. The social partners agree on the topics that are to be discussed during Council meetings. Thus, the topics up for discussion are determined by the external environment. Since the Government forms part of the Council, it too puts forward subjects to discuss during the Council meetings where national policies are often formulated. The Council is a tool for analysis and, at times, a catalyst for change.
MCESD play’s a vital role in promoting social dialogue in Malta
The Council’s success lies in the fact that the various representatives are open and ready to receive suggestions and feedback from their counterparts on the Council, while always keeping in mind that it is Government which has the mandate to implement policy.
Membership to the EU has helped to give a better perspective on what is going on in member states within similar areas of interest, and the Maltese representatives on the European Economic and Social Committee have contributed to further developing such a relevant scenario for the Maltese landscape. Such information has also helped, and will continue to help the Council in its deliberations on documents or reports that the EU itself requests from time to time. These reports contribute to the European Economic Semester and the National Reform Programme (NRP).
AS MENTIONED EARLIER, THE NATIONAL PRODUCTIVITY BOARD WAS SET UP IN 2019TO DIAGNOSE AND ANALYSE PRODUCTIVITY AND COMPETITIVENESS IN MALTA.
The analysis takes into account euro area and EU aspects and addresses the long-term drivers and enablers of productivity and competitiveness, including innovation, and the capacity to attract investment, businesses and human capital. It also addresses cost and non-cost factors that can affect prices and quality content of goods and services including those relative to global competitors in the short term.
Such an analysis is based on transparent and comparable indicators. The Board will engage in the independent analysis of policy challenges in the field of productivity and competitiveness and assess the effects of policy options, making trade-offs of policy explicit. The Board is composed of 11 members, comprising of a Chairperson and 10 other members. The Chairperson of the Malta
Council for Economic and Social Development (MCESD) is ex officio and acts as the Chairperson of the Board. The other 10 members comprise of a senior official nominated by the Minister for Finance, a member nominated by the Governor of the Central Bank of Malta, four members nominated by the workers’ organisations constituted bodies sitting in the Council, and four members nominated by constituted bodies representing national employers’ organisations forming part of the Council.
The National Productivity Board is also tasked with the preparation of the annual report.