The GWU has called on the government to set up a task force to discuss and seek consensus on the future of Malta Shipyards.

The proposal was made by union general secretary Tony Zarb during a press conference this afternoon.

He said the task force should be composed of the government, the opposition and the GWU.

Mr Zarb said the union was studying the government's decision to privatise the shipyard and wanted to be consulted throughout the process.

He reiterated the union's displeasure over the way the government's plans were announced, saying that the union had submitted its proposal for the future of Malta Shipyards and the least the government could have done was to inform it of its own plans. Mr Zarb said the union's proposals would be published in due course as long as that did not prejudice the work of the task force.

Finance Minister Tonio Fenech earlier today wrote to Mr Zarb inviting him for talks on the privatisation plans and an early retirement scheme for dockyard workers. Asked whether he had accepted the invitation, Mr Zarb said he would await a reaction to his call for the setting up of a task force.

He said the union was aware of the challenges facing the shipyard and felt the current national economic situation warranted full cooperation in order to safeguard the livelihood of the workers and their families.