International Affiliations
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 in Malta
MCESD serves as a catalyst between social partners, civil society, the Gozo Regional Committee and the Government. Its 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 plays 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).