Bishops hope for dockyard agreement

The bishops of Malta and Gozo today urged all sides involved in the Malta Shipyards issue to use all their experience and creativity to reach an agreement that ensured the common good while respecting the dignity of every worker.

They also appealed to the faithful to support the efforts being made through their prayers.

The government and the GWU are currently holding talks through a mediator on issues linked to the privatisation of the shipyard, particularly an early retirement scheme for the workers.

In their statement, Archbishop Paul Cremona and Bishops Mario Grech and Annetto Depasquale said it was acknowledged that the world of work and economy should develop in a balance between the common good, the good of society and the individual, including the dignity and rights of every worker, of every person and of every family.

In the globalised world this had become more complicated.

They welcomed the fact that the parties in the dockyard issue had chosen the way of dialogue to arrive at a just agreement, and they expressed their gratitude to the mediator who had offerred his services to facilitate this dialogue.

"We entreat both sides to use all their experience and creativity to reach an agreement that ensures the common good while respecting the dignity of every worker in the Drydocks, and their families.

"At this time, we appeal to all to support with prayers the efforts being made," the bishops said.