The Malta Council for Economic and Social Development (MCESD) needs a better structure, PL MP Andy Ellul said during parliament on Tuesday.

Responding to a question from PN MP Claudette Pace on what kind of reform needs to be done to make the MCESD a better advisory body, Ellul said that despite all the positive outcomes that have emerged from meetings with professionals representing various sectors, he believes that there should be a better structure.

Ellul said that although the Labor Party has only been in government for a month, it has begun to analyze, through various meetings with stakeholders, the type of framework in which the body operates.

He added that during the pandemic the MCESD has shown its strength as it has shown the positive results it has brought from social dialogue.

Speaking about a meeting held on Tuesday, he said the meeting was very interesting and productive. He added that he believes that the MCESD could become a body of knowledge that is not only sought after during a crisis situation such as the current Covid-19 and an influx of European inflation caused by Ukraine, but that such knowledge is derived from an insightful body should be used. to improve everyday life situations.

Ellul added that the body has been allocated around € 80,000 in funds to train MCESD staff and professionals. However he said that the body also has its own funds to hire external professionals to help with its workload when needed.

Asked to give a summary of a European meeting, where the Future of Europe was discussed, Ellul said that migration was discussed.

He added that during his speech at the meeting, which took place in Strasbourg, Ellul said that he spoke about the need for Europe to take into account the size of Malta when making important decisions on migration.

Ellul said that other European countries are currently aware of how Malta has been dealing with such situations as they now understand what kind of challenges migration poses to the countries in the Mediterranean.