ETUC escalates Malta trade union case to European Commission

The European Trade Union Confederation has escalated Malta's treatment of a General Workers' Union official to the European Commission, demanding assurances that trade union representatives across the EU, EEA, and candidate countries can perform their duties without interference. ETUC General Secretary Esther Lynch wrote to Executive Vice-President Roxana Minzatu following a criminal investigation by Malta Police into the GWU's Section Secretary for Transport, Maritime and Aviation.

The probe was triggered by a complaint from the Electoral Commission of Malta over a communication the official sent to union members on 29 May 2026—the day of electoral silence ahead of a Maltese election. The GWU said the message concerned unresolved negotiations with Resource Support and Services Ltd. And responded to member requests for an update on collective agreement talks, not politics.

The official was questioned under caution and later released when police closed the investigation on 2 July 2026, finding no case to answer. The GWU defended the official, informed the ETUC of the case, and sought discussions with the Employment Relations Board. The union argued that its representative had faced criminal proceedings while performing a legitimate function and warned that recurrence could trigger referrals to international bodies including the ILO Committee on Freedom of Association.

The GWU invoked ILO Conventions No. 87, 98, and 135—all ratified by Malta—and Articles 5 and 6 of the European Social Charter. GWU Secretary General Kevin Camilleri said: "The solidarity shown by the ETUC and by Esther Lynch personally has been outstanding.

From the moment we raised this matter, the ETUC stood with us without hesitation. Our Section Secretary did his job. He was investigated for it.

The police found no case to answer. "