Shipyard workers are not surplus

Żminijietna - Voice of the Left has urged the government to ensure that shipyard workers remain in employment and are treated with dignity rather than being considered as a surplus.

The group said it was ironic that, while the government spoke of the virtues of ageing workers and had extended the pensionable age, it was now proposing retirement schemes for shipyards workers.

Neither did it make economic sense to introduce retirement schemes when it was not yet clear what direction the shipyards would take.

"The employment status of shipyard workers should only be decided upon once plans for the shipyards have been clearly established.

"Once this is done, the government should ensure that no worker is left unemployed. Such workers should be absorbed in the public sector, carrying out productive work."