418 apply for early retirement

Almost half of the 900 employees who have been transferred from the shipyards have applied for early retirement under one of four schemes offered by the government.

Sources said 418 applications had been submitted by yesterday, which was the closing date for applications.

A week ago, only 250 had applied for one of the schemes.

Sources close to the government said that the figure of 418 was "more or less" close to the government's objective.

The original closing date was a week ago but it was extended by the government in agreement with the General Workers' Union.

The management of the 'yards is also handling all requests from workers asking for an explanation on the assessment process.

The assessment was made by the management in terms of criteria agreed with the union as part of the selection of the 900 workers who have been offered early retirement or alternative public sector jobs.

Under the agreement, reached between the government and the GWU earlier this month, Malta Drydocks Corporation and Malta Shipbuilding were dissolved and their assets and liabilities transferred to the government.

A new company, Malta Shipyards, will absorb 1,700 workers from the current workforce of 2,600 under new conditions, including a shift system aimed at substantially cutting overtime. The company will rent dockyard facilities from the government.