Updated: GWU, Chamber react to shipyards privatisation plans

The GWU this afternoon criticised the government for having announced plans to privatise Malta Shipyards without prior consultation and without having informed the workers, saying this violated the EU directive on the right to information.

The union said the government’s statement raised many issues which needed to be clarified, including what the government meant by privatisation.

It said that while it was prepared to enter into talks, it would not accept imposition or arrogance. Nor would it accept the dismissal of any workers, since the problems of the shipyard did not stem from the workers but the management.

The union said its own plan for the shipyard, based mainly on a revision of the Appledore report, was clear and relevant for any scenario which could affect the shipyard, whether it was state-owned or otherwise.

The union said it would continue to inform and consult the workers on developments and any action it could take.

The Chamber of Commerce welcome the Prime Minister's announcement.

"In the past, the Chamber maintained that public funds should be utilised to prepare companies like the shipyards for privatisation, as this was a potential route for the achievement of long-term viability. It insists that private enterprise is better positioned and motivated to manage any entity – including the shipyards – and is supporting the process for privatisation to reap the desired results," the Chamber said.

It hoped the process would be as smooth as possible for all parties concerned.

"It is imperative that in so far as the surplus human resources are concerned adequate re-training is organised by the Employment and Training Corporation in order to ensure that these same employees – once re-trained where training is required – are made available on the labour market."