PBS restructuring plan includes axing 100 jobs

Public Broadcasting Services is to shed about 100 employees according to restructuring plans to be discussed by the Cabinet shortly.

The matter was discussed at a meeting between Investments Minister Austin Gatt and General Workers' Union representatives on Tuesday night.

Sources said Dr Gatt gave the union an outline of the restructuring plans and promised he would be discussing these in more detail after Cabinet approval.

PBS has a workforce of 180 and the government proposals are that these should be reduced to between 50 and 85.

PBS loses about Lm2.4 million a year, which works out to Lm13,300 per employee annually.

Talks between the government and the union are expected to focus on a new collective agreement, voluntary retirement schemes and a restructuring exercise that would drastically trim the workforce to make PBS economically viable.

Contacted yesterday, Dr Gatt confirmed the meeting had taken place but declined to comment at this stage.

The union's section secretary for media and services, Karmenu Vella said the union would be embarking on talks on the collective agreement as well as the restructuring exercise.

"The union's position is very clear. We never said no to restructuring but this should not mean that workers should lose their jobs. The GWU is already insisting that those workers who chose not to take up early retirement would be offered alternative employment with at least the same conditions and salaries they have today," Mr Vella said.

"The situation at PBS was brought about by politicians over the years and politicians should now shoulder the responsibility for what they have done or not done.

"Workers should not be the scapegoats and be blamed for PBS' situation," he added.