Centre for Labour Studies : Biennial Report : 2005-2006

Abstract

The Centre was set up to act as an independent think-tank, commenting critically on developments, while providing a clearing house for training, education research and consultancy in this area. The name was changed to CLS in 2005, also as a reflection of the marginalization of worker self-management and participation in economic policy: it is now restricted to a few worker-directors and to the cooperative movement. Throughout the years, the staff members of the WPDC/CLS have found themselves very closely involved in critiquing and supporting developments in economic and labour policy. In Malta, maybe because of its small size in terms of area and population, its intellectual elite usually finds itself sharing its time between academic and policy matters. Throughout the years, the WPDC/CLS has pioneered worker education programmes (leading to diplomas recognized and conferred by the University) training programmes, seminars and various initiatives relating to developments in gender studies, occupational health and safety, occupational guidance and career counselling, cooperative promotion and human resource development. At present the Centre acts as Malta’s monitoring agency on industrial relations issues for EU institutions.