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.
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Victor Aquilina
Aug 29th 2008, 19:32
The Maltese bishops exhortation on the shipyard is very commendable.
One hopes that those taking part in the negotiations over the future of the shipyard and its workers take into consideration the bishops' advice.
L Galea
Aug 29th 2008, 16:02
@J Farrugia
Thank you for the free title my son
Anthony Formosa
Aug 29th 2008, 15:42
With all due respect, why the Bishops didn't intervene during EU negotiations, when it was evident that the drydocks had to close down if Malta joins the EU, and all workers will end without a job, what about the factory workers who also lost their job after EU accession, many still trying to build a family.
Fortunately I'm not a drydock worker, nor a factory employee.
Chris Borg
Aug 29th 2008, 14:54
@(J Farrugia). Labour had said BEFORE the 2003 that they would respect the people's verdict.....are you jelous for the job which Mrs Ellul Bonici has?
albert spiteri
Aug 29th 2008, 14:43
A most well timed intervention by our beloved and much respected Bishops. And may ALL the faithfull take the Bishops' advice and "support the efforts being made through their prayers".
J Farrugia
Aug 29th 2008, 13:35
Elf, stop being a fool and adhere to what the Bishops are calling for. Calling others lackay when we have an Opposition full of them? first they say NO. Then for the gallery they are saying YES and want the cushy jobs in Brussels. Tell it to Joseph Muscat. Tell it to Sharon Ellul Bonici.
L Galea
Aug 29th 2008, 13:28
Divine intervention is really needed.
The EU couldn't care less for the Shipyard workers.
We have a lackey Governmnet.