Pensioners' Association
The Pensioners' Association is one of the associations to be set up within the General Workers' Union structure. It was set up by a decision of the National Council and subsequently its first general conference fwas held on June 1, 1987, when a statute was approved and an Executive Committee was elected.
Consisting mainly of former GWU members, the association grew so much so that today it is one of the largest pensioners' organisations in Malta. Its first President was George Agius, a long standing then Secretary General of the Union. The Association is represented in the Union's National Council.
The Pensioners' Association came to exist in order to promote the prosperity and welfare of its members by protecting their rights and interests, safeguarding their pension levels and accordingly their standard of living. It also assists its members in solving problems of collective or individual type.
To keep its members active in life, the Association organises various cultural, social and educational activities annually.
Membership in the Association is open to all pensioners and retired workers, either through ill-health of early retirement.
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Secretary: |
Vincent Esposito |
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Affiliate: |
FERPA - European Federation
of Retired Persons Association |
GWU Youths
The GWUYouths is active among young workers affiliated to the GWU. It endeavors to project the young workers' interests by voicing their concerns both within the GWU structure and through its participation in youth organisations at national level.
Historic Background
On 27 August 1944 a few months post its birth, the GWU organised a rally for young workers during which the Young Workers Association was launched. Further on, the first Executive Committee meeting was held on May 11, 1945.
The importance Young Workers Movement (YWM) within the GWU folds grew over-time so much so that it obtained representation in the Union's highest level of administration.
The GWU Youth Movement produced several of the union leaders and prominent personalities that left their mark on the domestic political scene. One of its foremost female members, the late Agatha Barbara, was honoured to be the first female member of Parliament holding various ministerial seats. Ms Barbara's political career reached its maxim when she was appopinted by Parliamentary decree to the high post of President of the Republic of Malta.
Since 1999, when the GWU initiated a restructuring process the YWM changed its name to the current GWU Youths. this in order to reach also students from the tertiary and semi-tertiary levels of education as they present the prospect generation of future workers.
The GWU Youths is also very active on the international scene and for many years it held a seat on the Executive Committee of the European Trade Union Confederation's Youth Section.
All GWU members under the age of 35 years are by virtue automatic members of the GWUYouths.
Section Secretary: Vincent Marmara
Affiliate: ETUC Youth Section and ICFTU Youths