New trade union bears same name as established YMCA fundraiser

While its founding members chose a common term as the name of their new union, it appears no checks on other organisations’ use of the word had been conducted.

YMCA Malta’s heavily advertised biennial telethon, which airs on all local channels, could now be confused with the new union.

Hence the announcement of a union called SOLIDARJETÀ on Wednesday morning raised eyebrows within the social sector and across newsrooms.

A source told NEWZ.mt “this is crazy”, adding that they were “sure they didn’t even google” the term properly to avoid possible confusion.

The union, which will include “Malta’s first ever sub-section for tenants’ rights”, received its registration late last year and has started operating today.

“It was set up to empower both workers and tenants, and the union will actively work towards enhancing their living and working conditions”, the union said.

The branding of YMCA Malta’s established telethon plays with the contained word Dar (House) in soliDARjetà, referring to the NGO’s residential projects.

Similarly, the recently registered trade union has placed the syllable DAR separately at the center of its logo.

Asked by NEWZ.mt about this similarity, Matthew Attard, the union’s president, clarified that its name “came before we thought of having a tenant section”.

YMCA Malta has not yet commented on waking up to its most important fundraising activity now having a namesake that will also focus on social issues and particularly on housing.

The new union’s statement in full

Solidarjetà: New and independent general trade union launched

Newly launched trade union to include Malta’s first ever sub-section for tenants’ rights

A new workers’ union called Solidarjetà is up and running in Malta, with a sub-section dedicated to tenants rights.

The union received its registration late last year and has started operating today. It was set up to empower both workers and tenants, and the union will actively work towards enhancing their living and working conditions.

Gabriel Apap, the secretary-treasurer of Solidarjetà said: “The union is committed to fighting for higher wages, reduced income and wealth inequality, housing affordability, and a shorter working week.”

The trade union is proactively organising workers facing increasingly precarious conditions, aiming to create an environment where workers are empowered to take direct action to enhance their situation.

Tenants will have a dedicated section with an elected representative in the executive council.
Meanwhile, the tenant section of the union is assisting members directly through direct negotiations with landlords and agents to improve their living conditions, getting back their rightful deposit and ensuring landlords are not abusing the law.

Recently, the government proposed amendments to the private residential leases act intending to limit overcrowding of rental homes.

Matthew Attard, the president of Solidarjetà, partly welcomed the government’s recent proposals, which will also allow the housing authority to take stronger measures against abusive landlords. However, he expressed disappointment that other amendments in the law clearly continue to be pro-landlord.

“Over the coming months, the union will push to continue strengthening the private residential leases act so that tenants have a more secure, stable and affordable place to live,” Attard said.

Due to the lack of accessible information regarding tenants rights, the union has collected all the relevant information into a website page, which can be accessed here: solidarjeta.org/tenants/know-your-rights/. This initiative ensures tenants have ready access to vital information, empowering them to navigate their rights and responsibilities effectively.

If any worker or tenant would like to join or contact the union they can do so through their website solidarjeta.org, via email at union@solidarjeta.org or on Whatsapp by texting +356 99810787.