Gozo dairy plant being closed down

The Malta Dairy Products' Gozo plant is being closed down to prevent a duplication of resources, a source close to the government told The Times yesterday.

The Gozo plant will cease operations at the end of February and the 50 odd employees have been offered a job at the Malta factory. But the Union Haddiema Maghqudin (UHM) is arguing that the transfer will mean extra costs and inconvenience for workers.

Lino Vassallo, secretary of the UHM's hotels, food and drink section, said that although the company offered the employees alternative work, having to cross over to Malta would put them at a disadvantage, especially since they would have to fork out money for the daily trip. On the other hand, he said, the employees could be made redundant if they decide not to work in Malta.

The source told The Times that initially the workers at the Gozo plant were going to be sacked but the government - which owns a minority share - applied pressure to ensure this would not happen. The government is holding talks with Malta Enterprise to see how the Gozo plant can be used.

Attempts to contact MDP representatives yesterday proved futile.