Trelleborg on four-day week as economic slowdown bites

Deborah Caruana

Oct 18th 2008, 09:32

@Franco Farrugia

Like you I love school and if it was for myself I continue to study forever, however you can not expect for everyone to be as you and me. Every job is important and we need to do everyhting to keep every job.. that is the way forwrad for Malta to be the SMART ISLAND....

I do not think that you are sympathising enough cause if you were, you wont think the way you are... guess you are a lucky person and don not have to worry about your future at work... well good luck to you..

Had it not been for Trelleborg who has been manufacturing o' Ringsfor ten, twenty,thirty years... your car might not have those" black plastic rings"... so instead why don't you thank the workers and remember that not evryone is good for an office job but we need employees who are also professional in manual labour!

J Farrugia

Oct 17th 2008, 20:26

This is the same company that when it hits rough times since Malta Rubber and Dowty O rings, it put its workers on the dole. So I see nothing wrong that this company is having it hard when throughout the world, economies are going berserk. Iceland is on the brink of bankruptcy. In the USA car sales are in decline; so what? This is the global economy stupids. Once again I'm in full agreement with Mr Farrugia who said that today's world means re train,. re educate the workers since today a job is not for life. NO ONE OWES US A LIVING. remember that slogan. It means everything. Those who do not want to change will be changed by events and they will be changed for the worst. So the elves who think that smart city is utopia had better think twice. Today's world is linked to Information technology. Those without schooling will have it bad. enough said.

Andrew Cumbo

Oct 17th 2008, 19:43

Can you please pay a little respect for us at Trelleborg?

The truth is that the management is looking forward to return to normal operations. It was never said by the management that he is going to close doors. And we at Trelleborg heard the same statement from the top management together with the GWU section representative in a meeting held for us all. It will be unfair to deflect a statement for personal intent without taking in consideration how it will affect others. In this case we and our families.

This is a domino effect that hit our company. People around the world are not buying cars due this economic slowdown. All leading car manufacturers are fully stocked with cars. And this is the reason we have a low order book. How can we and for who keep producing our ‘O’ rings if people are not buying cars?

Apart from politics government must now be much more aware, that if he will introduce the proposed electricity tariffs, we and others that work the Manufacture Industry will face serious repercussions which may result not in less working hours but in redundancies

Franco Farrugia

Oct 17th 2008, 19:30

I sympathise with workers who feel that they have a shaky future in their places of work.

But I absolutely disagree with a comment such as that coming from Deborah Caruana. What do you mean when you say that workers have to go back to school? First of all, let's home that they DID go to school once. Then, let's also hope that many, many workers DO go back to school. On-going training, on-going formation, that is the key to jobs in the future. And what's wrong with that?

So, let's continue being happy with making black plastic rings for ten, twenty, thirty years.

So, once again, what's so wrong with people having 'to go back to school' as Ms Caruana is so terrified about? Let them go back to training, I say!

M D Fenech

Oct 17th 2008, 16:00

I remember the Dowty as being one of the best factories in Malta. Austin Gatt is happy now that maybe another factory will be closing down. He did bet and win after all.

Deborah Caruana

Oct 17th 2008, 13:36

"Yes! Yes! There will be enough jobs for everyone" - Viva Smart Island..... guess after 30 years working in a factory people might have to go back to school... thanks Gonzi PN

l Galea

Oct 17th 2008, 10:04

Ethelbert Schembri
"...and news agencies around Europe focused on the economy !?!?!? "

Didn't you know that we are being led by Mr pair of string hands, our economy is on sound footing and we have nothing to worry about?

Ethelbert Schembri

Oct 17th 2008, 09:43

The company still needs all workers because they know their value. The fact is that at the moment the order book is down because of external factors . Trelleborg didn’t put workers on redundancy and opted for the 4 day week for that reason !!!

There are companies in Malta that are struggling and the government is trying hard to find the way to give them the last hit and finish them !!!

I can’t comprehend that but when I remind myself who is governing , well that is in the nature of a right wing party !!

Ethelbert Schembri

Oct 17th 2008, 09:41

Everyone at Trelleborg is a professional in his work and the problems of the company are not from within but from the situation of the global recession .

The management and the GWU are in constant consultation to avoid any more damage and to try to improve the situation as soon as possible .

The only sad news is that our government is the only one in the world that is saying that the recession will not hit us and so is not doing anything to help the internal economy and industry .

Our GOV is only interested in the Immigration Pact , I m not saying that is not important but if anyone followed the Maltese news this past 2 days they will notice that only this pact is mentioned the other GOVs and news agencies around Europe focused on the economy !?!?!?

May I ask what is wrong ??

Government of Malta the internal economy and industry needs help , so wake up or soon will be too late !!