Wednesday, 13th August 2008
Shipyards' privatisation
'Illegal' clause in call for expressions of interest
Tony Zarb in white shirt and Sammy Meilaq (on Mr Zarb's left) with shipyard workers, yesterday.
There was a fresh twist to the deadlock between the government and the General Workers' Union over the privatisation of the shipyards yesterday, when the union termed "illegal" a clause in the call for expressions of interest that the government published in international media on Monday.
The freshly hatched dispute concerns a section which states that buyers will not be obliged to take on any of the current employees.
GWU secretary general Tony Zarb said yesterday that the Transfer of Business Act, which was transposed from EU law into the Maltese statue book last year, stipulates that a business changing hands "shall not constitute sufficient grounds for dismissal of employees by both the seller and buyer".
The government reacted later in the day, saying the clause was included because the number of workers on the books still had to be determined once the retirement schemes process was over.
Moreover, the government does not want to have bidders using the fact that they are taking on employees as a bargaining tool, the government added. Yet, theoretically, if no bidder takes any of the workers who do not take up any of the retirement schemes, the government would enter a legal bind.
Addressing shipyard workers outside the yards' main gate in Cospicua in an impromptu meeting which was called in reaction to the call, Mr Zarb insisted that the union would not accept such an outcome.
One of the bones of contention between the government and the union centred precisely over the union's call for the government to give workers an employment guarantee.
But while Finance Minister Tonio Fenech consistently excluded this demand, he said the government would only guarantee a future to the workers if the privatisation process succeeds.
That outcome has been tied, on the government's part, to the reduction of the present workforce, which tops 1,600, to about 700.
Despite the warnings to the government, Mr Zarb was rather placid, unlike union section secretary Sammy Meilaq, who was cheered on by his mates the minute he mouthed the first sentence.
He announced that a manifestation would be held today in Paola for the workers and their sympathisers, yet later the union clarified that the gathering would be a meeting only and not a demonstration.
He insisted that the union was not against the privatisation and was not even trying to dissuade anyone from taking up the early retirement schemes on offer.
"We are just telling workers to wait for the time being, especially seeing that the deadline is in September," he said.
Mr Meilaq, however, took it one step further, saying the union could not be blamed, given that the government was not trustworthy.
"This is a government that says one thing in February and does another in May," he said to a loud cheer, referring to pre-general election statements by the Prime Minister that the government had no plans to downsize the 'yards.
"The government is basically saying, 'I'm now comfortable in Castille, I don't care about you anymore'... what we're being offered is not a choice, it's like being taken to the edge of a cliff and told: Now you either give me everything or you jump. That's no choice," he said.
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Comments
As to Joseph muscat..well..to be honest I don't know what this has to do with the dockyard issue, but that just goes to show your true colours....but while you're at it..Joseph Muscat has mentioned the CEO idea WAY before he was even elected. Actually, if you would be decent enough to read all the news, you would realise that the CEO idea was in the 2003 election defeat report commissioned by Labour.
Jfarrugia continues to confirm the hatred in his blessed Catholic heart....without stating ANY facts he just keeps on calling his brothers names, aimed at hurting them as to logic...I suggest you look the word up...I have asked a number of logical questions you have not tried to answer...
and as for J briffa...you tell me...you're the one who stated the FALSE fact
you raised some interesting points and I agree with most of them. Maybe that is why I desperately need a good alternative government.
And whilst you're fantasizing outside the box, we might start considering electing proper leaders in govt. We're all fed up of pre electoral talk and post electoral excuses. Obviously, TOM's readership only consolation is opening fire on those who oppose. The Flimkien kollox possibli syndrome is (as always) one sided. In typical pn methodology, minions pick on certain issues fomenting discontent and no-noing either MLP or GWU, when things are not going well back in Denmark. Lest we not forget the use of the inevitable catch phrases like "closure is the only solution". J Farrugia answering back is pristine!
The minds have already been set. Govt wants to get rid of MDD (being the historic breeding ground of his opponent). There's no arguing about it. Whoever has anything to say is out of his/her mind. TZ should resign. SM should find another job. Joseph Muscat should go back to Brussells and Jeremy J Camilleri should call it a day ... or buy MDD
you are only one of the few who agree with the irresponsible actions of the transport association, the whims and gaffes of some of the mlp officials and the suicidal actions of the gwu. What I fnd shameful is that the delegates who elect them do not see beyond their noses. They are out of touch with the civilised moderate majority of people who want peace, harmony and progress (just like Joseph Muscat after all!!!! bet he agrees with me as well!!)....so maybe the answer is educate the delegates!
But then come to think of it, even Joseph Muscat seems to have fallen to your suggestion of ...'Osama bin laden choosing the pope'....cause he is suggesting He would be choosing the CEO!....is he smelling something fishy with the 'delegates choice'?!
It is shameful that these officials are elected by the organisation's delegates! how unfair...
what next....Osama Bin Laden choosing the next pope?
yep we should start thinking outside the box. How can we make sure that we elect responsible officials on our associations, unions or administrative councils! Aren't we all fed up with the transport association officials, the general workers union officials and the MLP administration?
If there were only two options and a fixed deadline, would not bidders have the upper hand? I believe that the present government has better negotiating skills than it is showing in public.
Has the GWU consulted the Hon. Dr. George Vella to explain to it how could the government negotiate the extension of the deadline beyond 31 December on the basis of EU documents, without re-opening the accession package? Is it not time for the GWU, and maybe the government, to think outside the box?
Did the Government promise these workers anything before the election?
The point here is the legality of this issue...
Does the transfer of business act exist? if it does, do you believe that the Government, any government for that matter, has a right to ignore a law it drafted?
Just a yes or no will do..I m not really that demanding......But I guess you''ll do your best to twist it around...
As for Joseph E Briffa..Sammy Meilaq is NOT the union section secretary.....Mark Micallef made a mistake there...so your reasoning is based on false facts....Pity!
As for his keeping the status quo, I suggest you re read ALL the news regarding the docks.....you have understood nothing my friend....
The GWU never had a clue of the PN electoral promises. Their allegation of the government breaking promises is a fat lie.
What happens when the government steam rolls over you??? Who is going to stick up for you??? Wake up people ... this is a mockery of democracy.
The article here is simple. There is a law. Laws should be honoured by both sides.
If this law is fictitous, then the GWU is way out of line.
If not, and this law does exist, than the Government is duty bound, and legally bound, to honour it.
I hope you are not suggesting that the Government is above the law, and, since people like you are as easy to predict as a cuckoo clock, if you want to bring up certain events that occured during the 80's, I'll make it really simple for you...it is ALWAYS despicable when ANY Government thinks that it is above the law....No matter who, no matter when!
As regards to calling people crazy..My oh my, How anti Catholic..I'm shocked...well..not really...but you should get it!