Tuesday, 28th October 2008 - 16:30CET

Updated: Methode Electronics going on four-day week

(Adds Methode's and GWU's comments)

Methode Electronics has informed its employees that they will go on a four-day week as from Monday, sources told timesofmalta.com this afternoon. The company, which manufactures switches for the automotive industry, employs over 600 people.

The company said it has been constrained by the international situation and its effect to adopt a four-day week. It said that the nature of the company’s business, which was completely automotive related, was such that the flow of orders for its products was extremely vulnerable to the effects of the current global economic climate.

Methode said it would be monitoring the situation closely and responding as appropriate to protect the interests of all its stakeholders.

In another statement the GWU said that the company yesterday informed it that it wanted to drastically reduce its work force.

The union said that following long discussions today, it managed to avoid dismissals and workers will be working on a four-day week for four weeks when the situation will again be reviewed.

Another major company, Trelleborg, which manufactures 'O' rings for the automotive industry, went on a four-day week earlier this month.

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Comments

Maria Gauci (on 31/10/08)

Lisa Galea, rest assured that I do pay taxes like you, but that was never in question.
You failed to answer my question namely "If the public sector starts firing people tomorrow (for whatever reason), how do you think that will improve your position?"
If anything, it will only make matters worse because people like me, who still have a job, will have to pay more towards unemployment benefits!
Whilst you seem to be in the know of several things, you still seem unable to make a decent argument for your situation. Or maybe you did in the extremely convoluted one below....
I can understand that you must be very angry at present, but don't let that fact colour your judgment too much. And don't loose sight of foreign goings on either.

A.Trapani (on 30/10/08)

@ Joe Galea.
First of all, i beleive that you're not the only one traveling and living abroad. Ahough i agree with you that there are quite some countries with better wages, you end up paying at least half your wage in taxes we didn't even hear of here, NI, various bills, insurance and traveling expenses etc etc. Anyways, quoting your paragraph... "we have a dumbfounded government that in such crisis is taking the wrong decisions (as usual), to make the local situation much worse. It's unbelievable how you Pn apologists keep fighting for the wrong cause."
I say to myself, can anyone take you seriously in what you write after reading this? This government worked hard for EU membership, something that MLP violently opposed and is today totally in favour ??? Oh please, don't come talk to us about wrong decisions and causes.... thanks.

V Fenech (on 30/10/08)

As usual the PN apologists are using their same weapon of living abroad! Please have a break, won't you??

It obviously becomes a political issue. Methode and Trelleborg have considered that in addition to the international crisis they're going to face a local one caused by the Government by the new tariffs. This was not promised during the election and that's why everything is becoming subject to worries.

These industries have resorted to their last ways as those who are supposed to represent them has been completely ignored by the Government of Austin Gatt!!!

Lisa Galea (on 30/10/08)

@ Maria Gauci

It is well known that government employed a considerable amount of people within its various departments before election. Do you honestly think that jobs for hundreds are created in weeks.

I know what I am talking about I was on dole without a decent repayment of what I paid (for 12 year working in the private industry) the state for three months last year. I am not barking at the wrong tree. The government keeps a huge workforce to avoid those who work in the public sector from feeling the pinch.

Besides the people who are now enforcing high energy tariffs (with out contributing to our W/E bills for they are exempt) can only bring the industry on it knees. If you pay tax for I do not know what you do for a living, you will be paying more for unemployment benefits in the future.

Weighing down the industry further will make Malta a deserted economy. The industry has contributed for many years. The public sector has mostly sucked out blood of the system and not given anything in return.

J Borg (on 30/10/08)

@Maria Gauci
I am not blaming the government.
However as I said, I cannot understand this. If there is a company that is opening/investing in Malta, we say that the government is bringing new investment with its policies. Noone says, that the company is opening because the worlwide financial situation is good.

Company Invests = Good Government Policies
Company Fails (or not doing well) = Worldwide Financial Crisis

Joe Galea (on 30/10/08)

@ A Cassar: Taking what you've said, if A. Sant was in govt. then you will be the first saying that the world crisis is his fault. Therfore halluna pls!

@Simon Sullivan: I think you were joking when stating that we are better off compared to other European countries. Do you go abroad? I do. Whenever I go abroad i see that they have cheaper prices on almost everything (except on entertainment), better standards of living, much much better wages & salaries, and the list goes on.

We all reckon that there is a world financial crisis. However, we have a dumbfounded government that in such crisis is taking the wrong decisions (as usual), to make the local situation much worse. It's unbelievable how you Pn apologists keep fighting for the wrong cause.

Malcolm Seychell (on 29/10/08)

@ Joyce Aquilina

The government will do exactly what Brussels tell him to do.

At the moment every nation has to take care of every single cent, to help its own people.

This madness to manage the european countries as a missionary NGO rather then a business, where every single cent counts, it is going to create further social problems, for us citizens.

Maria Gauci (on 29/10/08)

J Borg, when any the government goofs, blame should be rightly apportioned to it, but how can you lay the blame with the Maltese government in this time of international crisis?

Maria Gauci (on 29/10/08)

Lisa Galea, whilst I cannot pretend that I know what you're going through, I sympathise with you and your family since I can imagine that you're going through a very hard time. However, your comment raises a couple of questions: do you believe that some private companies have the same financial strength as the government? If the public sector starts firing people tomorrow (for whatever reason), how do you think that will improve your position? The number of people employed in the public sector does not have any bearing on your problem! You’re barking up the wrong tree….

deb bugjea (on 29/10/08)

All this crisis and the governement wants to incrrease the electricity tariffs . How can they pay

Matthew Azzopardi (on 29/10/08)

10,000 euros....its 4000 LM ta! hadd mhu se jfalli ta! mhux dik il hela jahasra!

A Genovese (on 29/10/08)

I have been trying to hold back and not comment. My heart goes out to all ppl who are loosing their jobs and now working on reduced hour week. This is not what we were promised before the election, but when did PN care about the future? His future was only planned until election day with his first and foremost role to get elected. After that...
@ c sapiano - why are you thinking about the majority of the Maltese? and the rest.... aren't they also Maltese? What will happen to these people? We already have a high occurance of people who are living below standard. Please wake up, the government must not be hard on all of us. Other countries are being very careful about
I am in full support with workers at Methode and Trellerborg who will be working on reduced hours, but reduced wages also. May God be with you in this crises.

David Gatt (on 29/10/08)

Wow, veru mexjin lura b'velocita qawwija. Sa 5 snin ohra dal pajjiz ma nafx x'se jkun baqa minnu.

C.Sapiano (on 29/10/08)

The fact is that the majority of Maltese people, despite the difficulties, have a good standard of living. I bet that even with all the crisis there is internationally, the Maltese will continue going abroad, buying consumables, eating out and having it good like before...as they have been doing with all the ups and downs since independence.

J Borg (on 29/10/08)

What I cannot understand is that when there is a new investment in the country, the government is praised, while when there are situations like these, the government has nothing to do with it.

joanna farrugia (on 29/10/08)

I cant understand how ppl still believe in this gov. It has done good things true, but it took wrong decisions too and now we are seeing the results. For some ppl who write in here we shall live in hope only or others like anthony cassar mention alfred sant.can you pls explain to me what he has to do with all this crisis now? If under your gov for u its all smooth going, for me it's not and remember when pointing 1 finger to someone else there are another 4 pointing towards you. My husband had to leave his job because the government has decided to close Malta Shipyards. And don't blame the workers for what happened there.

V.Micallef (on 29/10/08)

@ J.Mifsud
This is only the beginning, Sir. Enjoy ...

t farrugia (on 29/10/08)

as usual the government takes the blame. international situation too is gonzi's fault. do you people read the foreign news??!!!!! this is something that is happening all over the world. also, companies are always looking to reduce their workforce to fill in their greedy pockets!!!! but i suppose that is Gonzi' fault too. most people would blame the government even if they were bitten by a mosquito!!!!

Lisa Galea (on 29/10/08)

Could we respect those who are working in these conditions it is a very hard situation to digest as it affects many families. I know what I am talking about as it affects me personally.
I just have one question for Austin Gatt and Dr Gonzi. Why is the private sector feeling the pinch and the public sector keeps heading along with a super workforce?
It is obvious to me that the higher tariffs are only going to affect what is left of manufacturing industry and SMEs. Why does the government want to continue hammering the productive force in the country. Notwithstanding that there are productive people in the public sector.
How come government has not considered layoffs (or retirement schemes) in the public sector. I believe a crisis hits all sectors or is government trying to safeguard its "ultima spiaggia".

Carlo Laurenti (on 29/10/08)

Dear All,

As I said in a previous comment I spent a number of years working very happily for Methode Electronics and am really disappointed to see it in this situation. However I now live in the UK like Mr. Chetcuti where by the way there is a labour government!

I work for the largest private owned company in the gaming and gambling sector in the UK and probably in Europe as a Purchasing Manager. Unfortunately even here in the UK we are seeing people being made redundant every day, life is tough world wide. So please grow up everyone and open your eyes to today's economic situation! Methode is an American organisation with principles in Chicago, working for the Automotive industry which like other industries is becoming a victim of the world wide situation. Even if the pope was PM the situation would have not been any better and your ridiculous political comments do not help the situation. This should be the time for people in such a small community like Malta to come together and work things out.

Carlo.

C.Sapiano (on 29/10/08)

How stupid to blame the government. This is a global crisis. May I ask a question? Why is it that the majority of economists in malta, like other professionals, vote PN? Are they stupid in economic matters? The reason is that socialism simply doesnt work ! People should feel sorry to vote Labour because it has an outdated philosophy.

Erc Frendo (on 29/10/08)

@ Mr Duncan Sant
It seems that you don't understand that if the governments bears the cost for another year it is actually us who are bearing the cost and thus subsidising all commercial entities and tax evaders.

Joseph Borg (on 29/10/08)

@ Charles Camilleri

So how would you explain that in such "a world recession of this magnitude" fuel prices in Italy, France, Germany and Spain went down in these last couple of months and the foreign investment in UK had a rise of 8.9% in the mid term of the year ( see http://news.sky.com/skynews/Business) as such "stormy time" is hitting the economy?

joyce aquilina (on 28/10/08)

what about the 10,000 euros that our goverment has just given to gorgia, can we afford it?

David Bailey (on 28/10/08)

@ John Schembri

I didn't hear the PM committing to cutting taxes either..

Anyway, even if he does cut taxes, we're still facing increases in utility tariffs which will nullify, or at least blunt, the effects of tax cuts.

Michael Vella (on 28/10/08)

A Attard and J Debattista

I wouldn't be too quick to show what party you vote for. Your ignorance on the subject you are talking about does not cast a bright light on the party you vote for. I suggest you switch on a news program, other than One News, and look at what's happening around the globalized WORLD you live in. Globalization means that what happens on one side of the world can, probably will and is effecting the other side..now maybe news to you but Malta happens to be part of this WORLD. Now please explain how the prime minister or any other person could have foreseen what was coming. I am sure all the countries involved would have prevented it instead of wasting billions of euros trying to salvage the remains of their economies.

As for the workers of Methode, i wish you the best of luck and hope that this economic downturn will recover sooner rather than later so you can get back to your full time employment.

Ian Sammut Dacoutros (on 28/10/08)

One of the things I love about Malta is that everything is a political ping pong match.

We live in a telecommunications era and I am sure that everyone can watch foreign news other than just the Maltese news - I would suggest that the people below actually take 30 seconds to read what is going on GLOBALLY!!!! Not Malta, not Europe - EVERYWHERE!!!

We are actually lucky, the effects on Maltese items is very minimal but the factories discussed here are not Maltese - they make things for other countries!! So it is a snowball effect, factory in Malta makes things for factory abroad, factory abroad has less demand due to financial situation GLOBALLY, factory in Malta needs to make less things for factory abroad, factory in Malta looses money for all these employees - what does factory in Malta do - lay people off or reduce work hours - the logical one is reduce hours no?

My goodness this is not rocket science!!!

M Vella (on 28/10/08)

It is totally in order to point fingers at Government.

The government has nothing to do with the world recession of course.

In principle, the opposition should, and I have no doubt that it will, provide support in these difficult times that ultimately hit the average middle-class family man and woman and all.

We point fingers at Government for its arrogance moulded in attitude over years when the Government of the day introduced a 50cents tax on medicine prescriptions to curb known abuse, when the Government of the day wanted to balance Enemalta's book's against a destructive culture, for telling us it would reduce tax-burdens when it well knew of dark economic clouds brewing on the horizon.

Why did Government go on a spending spree of all shapes and sizes months before election when it knew that such expenditure will put a new Government on the wrong foot especially as recession would hit us as it is?

The party in Government got away with much and rolls over anything with an 'I know it all' attitude'

Not this time...it will not get away with murder no matter how machiavellian it will act.

Alfred Farrugia (on 28/10/08)

Has anybody read the articles below? In the US in September there were 25,715 job cuts in the computer industry; 14,595 in the automotive industry; and 8,350 in the clothing industry. A total of 95,000 jobs were lost in September alone.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/27360381/

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/27334929/

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/26971040/

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/24855246/

Perhaps our new Labour leader could fly to the US and solve all the problems of the 287,000 jobs lost in the third quarter of this year. Has anybody considered how better off we would have been had we been living in the Switzerland of the Mediterranean? The former Labour leader would no doubt have made good use of his magic wand, perhaps as he did at Metalfond!

Let us hope that the difficult times for the workers employed in the automotive industry would not be very long, and that the workers would either get back to normal working days and hours in the near future, or that other new industries will compensate for some of the losses.

P.Schembri (on 28/10/08)

To all. We are not criticising the government for the global economic crisis. We are criticising the government because of its bad timing in introducing the new w&e tariffs (reform (sic)). The government is not looking ahead. If the tariffs are introduced now, there will be ripple effects that will affect the whole economy. But no, our government (obstinate and arrogant as it is) want to continuing ahead with its plans. The opposition, rightly told the government, to postpone for a period of time. Now the government is in a corner (which it had itself created) and needs to money to pay off the deficiences and debts that were created by Enemalta, with the excuse of developing more the energy sector.

B. Demanuele (on 28/10/08)

i have read all these comments and yes most are true and others well, not so sure. I don't think any government of the day should be blamed regarding the Maltese situation on short working week, we all know this is a global problem which no doubt will be solved in time, starting first by lowering the cost of sky high properties and get people to be honest and make use of their financial yearly tax forms same as we do thus helping the lower paid bracket and give financial help in terms of lending for smaller businesses and above all lower petrol prices as in the UK OR adopt the same system as in Germany, the more you drive the more you pay ie., Reps etc.,the heavier the vehicle the more tax you pay as in the Netherlands and most eu countries. The system in Malta stinks. Special tariffs should also be applied for as i say the self employed using Gas, W&E should be lowered so they can survive their hardships in trying to make a go of it thus improving the economic standard on the islands.. Do not copy Iceland or you'll sink

Jesmond Chetcuti (on 28/10/08)

I live in the UK,the situation here is horrible,people are losing their homes through reposessions,unemployment is expected to reach 2 million by the end of the year,and in Malta some people are trying to make a political issue cause 2 companies are working reduced hours.I am a Labour sympathiser but when I hear people in Malta blaming the government I just laugh.This is just the beginning,the worst is still to come,lets wait for next year an see the results of the tourism sector,then the big blow will be felt.Hotels will lay off employees and their suppliers will start feeling the pinch.It is ripple effect in Malta the effects will be felt next year.

Vincent Galea (on 28/10/08)

There was a bearded man with an alarmed and pitying look who went around with a placard 'the world is coming to an end' which we saw frequenty on paper cartoons.To-day it's a notion seriously debated by world scientists and world leaders. Daily we are fed a diet of high pitched news reports on climate change, redundancies, food shortages, etc.
However , 'I nostri fratelli d'oltre mare' the Italians seem to be worried only about sports and seem convinced that all problems are due to crime, speculation, and immigration. Others believe that the Euro was the culprit for the descending power of their salaries.Number of all violent crimes including those by the Mafia seem to be declining. Maybe they are getting poor to buy the rising cost of ammunition:)
The world which has a mind of its own is telling us all that nothing should be taken for granted.

John Schembri (on 28/10/08)

@ R : when you assume you make an ASS of U and ME.
I clearly recall John Dalli 'begging' in parliament not to remove the audit trail when Dr Sant wanted to remove VAT . So PN was very constructive in its criticism when it was in the national interest.
Or you conveniently forgot that Labour was in power some 10 years ago?

Charles Camilleri (on 28/10/08)

@ Joseph Borg. Before the election no one had forecast a world recession of this magnitude. But still Gonzi is the right person to weather the coming storm. Surely Joseph with his past misjudgments cannot be trusted to be PM in this stormy time. Joseph do you think that with labour in Govt the coming world recession would not have bit us? Our economy is so vulnerable to other countries' economical condition that we cannot escape being hurt, though maybe not so much as some wish.

charles vella (on 28/10/08)

Dear digitalukworld@hotmail.com
technical staff and all the staff l am very disappointed over what has happened l use to
work with most of you in an other company try to stay united in this moment .
Charles vella (mellieha)

John Schembri (on 28/10/08)

@ David Bailey : I didn't hear the PM saying that he would not cut taxes.

Alex Debono (on 28/10/08)

We are now get used to such things under the PN government. Now it is the finacial crisis, then the price of oil then something other. These people are cheating on us, come on Poplu Malti, kemm se tibqa Bahnan jahasra.

raphael stafrace (on 28/10/08)

Everybody is mentioning Trelleborg and the 4 day week. But I think all concerned should thank Mr Martin Hignett general manager at Trelleborg and Jason Deguara GWU section secretary for working closely together and minimizing this grave situation for the 600 employees. It is better to work a 4 day week than seeing workers laid off.
Shame on those workers who phoned Mr Deguara urging him to dismiss workers rather than working a 4 day week. In its 47 years history Trelleborg ex Malta Rubber ex Dowty has pulled off from these situations by close cooperation between workers management and the gwu. Personally i think these time we can do it again

R Axisa (on 28/10/08)

It's true that the global economic situation is not good at all and it is affecting our country as well. Bad luck!! But the hypocracy behing it all is that, if it was the Labour Party in government at the moment, I bet that the PNs reactions would have been much much much more different. Don't you remember what a great big fuss was made when the MLP introduced the 50c fee for the medicine?? Comparing to this, what are the Maltese supposed to do after being imposed with such new water & electricity tariffs??

Dusty William (on 28/10/08)

Wow Gvern tal-Genn Issa instead of working 5 days a week lot of us work 4 and 3 days as weekend WOW! Xokkijiet kemm trid! Allahares there was the Labour in command, the opposition would certainly call for a early election! But under the current circumstances its not their fault. Imsieken.... this has been coming for at least the past 4 years or so, I felt it a lot did.

Now I know some of you might not agree with my comments because with you nazzjonalisti you never get it right, but a said what I had to say.

John Schembri (on 28/10/08)

Stop these snide remarks "defend the PN" , "heqq flimkien kollox possibli" etc. If these people who write these remarks ever went working abroad , they would not write such comments. It shouldn't ever cross anybody's mind that there would be some PM who is crazy enough to create such problems for our country , be it an MLP or a PN government.
We are heading for difficult times, bigger than the Wall Street Crash Crisis . So stop being silly and get real we are ALL in the same boat .
From Methode's website( http://www.methode.com/ ):
"Methode Electronics, Inc. is a global manufacturer of component and subsystem devices with manufacturing, design, and testing facilities in the United States, Mexico, Malta, United Kingdom, Germany, Czech Republic, Singapore, and China."
Are we competing against cheap labour countries? Are the Chinese working a four day week also?
A four day week means that the company hasn't lost hope of getting more orders , it took a "wait and see attitude".

Mario Camilleri (on 28/10/08)

When there was an economic crisis in the early 80's and there was a huge hike in the price of oil and also a global recession, no one of you was sympathetic to the then labour government. you used to pretend miracles and we had an opposition party lead by our dear president who used to go in other foreign countries and discourage companies from coming to invest in our country. we had an opposition party which never helped in those days but used to call strikes instead, now you come and pretend that in the current situation is only others countries faults, or the global situations fault! instead of helping the economy our dear government will further burden it with the W&E price hikes, and you all used to find scandalous the 50c charge on the medicines. Is all this hypocrisy or what? why all of you keep justify this situation? or maybe some of you are gaining from it all?

B. Demanuele (on 28/10/08)

Yeah there you go, we see it in my home town of NZ, Australia, Britain and now slowly its creaping into my ancestor's country of malta. As they say its going to get worse before its gets better/.. You ain't seen nothing Yet* This is just the begining and my guess is going to be a Very Lonely Christmass for most Maltese and Gozitans unfortunitly, we were told to prepare for the worse in my case my firm has just recently wrapped up and things don't look all that brilliant.

Joseph Borg (on 28/10/08)

Am I right that this is another company that the workers received a letter of reassurance from Lawrence Gonzi personally before the election stating that BIL-PN FIL-GVERN IKUN HAWN IS-SERHAN IL-MOHH!!!!!!!!

David Bailey (on 28/10/08)

By no means is the global economic crisis the Govt fault.. but it is fair to criticize the Govt's response to it. Raising utility bills and refusing to cut taxes in the next budget will slow down our economy, in a time when major EU countries are bailing out banks and industries and cutting taxes and interest rates.

In an unfortunate twist of events the economic crisis has plummeted oil prices so now the Govt is stuck with "expensive" oil because of hedging agreements.. that was bad luck and no one, nowhere foreseed it.

But regarding utility bills we're not talking about 5-10% increases but 30-40% and even more for businesses. It's quite clear that the Govt's only priority is to balance out the budget by 2009/10 like it promised.. not the cleverest of directions to take at the moment.

anton Busuttil (on 28/10/08)

@ all those who are blaming the government. I was one of those who voted PN simply for the reason that I saw no alternative. Can the MLP give us the solutions to our troubles? If they can come up with a valid answer I will gladly vote labour come next elections but I have a strange feeling that no answers will be forthcoming. Hugs and kisses don't solve problems except perhaps between lovers!

J. Mifsud (on 28/10/08)

@Mr Chris Vella

Please, just imagine for a couple of minutes, that at the moment Malta is managed by the Labour Party. Oh my, Oh my!!!!!!! I can imagine what people like you would have scribbled on this site!!!

I am keeping to myself my views on the current world economy and whatever P.N. spokespersons said before and after the last elections - because I am not a hypocrite, and I do my utmost to be as sincere as possible where politics are concerned.

Charles Camilleri (on 28/10/08)

@ Duncan Sant. You seem not to follow foreign news. Utility bills have increased in all European countries long before us as well as layoffs and four day week . If it will storm tomorrow Duncan and his bedfellows will surely blame the Govt. Pls be serious and look at what is happening in the world around us. All countries are in deep recession and as we form part of the world we are feeling the effects. What is happening is no fault of no Govt. Remember Duncan what hapened to Iceland because it remained out the EU as Joseph so ardently advice in the papers of Iceland. It is bankrupt with no one helping her. Now wonder Duncan seem to be happy with what is happening.

Ivan Camilleri (on 28/10/08)

@ A.Attard,

Please do not be absurd Mr.Attard!! Methode's major export is to the US, i can tell about this since i too worked there for 10 years. If the orders hit the ground, then why supply the same quantities? Can you explain to us why the government should be put to blame?!

Ladies & Gentlemen : pls let's not try inflate this worrying situation with such comments, which do no good at all!! I fully sympathise with my ex-methode colleagues & i hope that this situation won't last too for long.

Duncan Sant (on 28/10/08)

@all those who try to defend PN:

Other countries in the world are doing their utmost so that the workers and industries suffer the least possible during this economic crisis... but what is Malta's government doing? It is putting more burden on the maltese industry and population. Why doesn't the government, instead of going ahead with the utility bills increase this year, just leave them as they are now, bear the cost for the coming year, and then when the crisis is over increase the utility bills at that time?

And one other thing, probabbly next month we will see some NSO statistic saying that unemployment has decreased.... what about these 2 companies and probabbly others following that are working on 4-day weeks instead of 5? These don't surely appear in any statistic!

anthony cassar (on 28/10/08)

so people take note . if alfred sant was PM there wouldn't be a global crisis u kollox kien jimx fuq ir rubini.

u halluna !!!!!!!

Chris vella (on 28/10/08)

@Winston Edgoose....there is no convincing people such as A Attard and J Debattista. Had there been a Labour government you would have seen them become global economic experts, telling us how and why of the current economic gloom that has hit the world.

For those you have a little more brains here are some of today's news from the BBC website re the automotive industry -

'Honda has announced a cut-back in production at its factory in Swindon'

'Jaguar Land Rover has announced cut-backs at Castle Bromwich in the Midlands and Halewood on Merseyside, '

'Nissan is slashing production at Sunderland.'

'...Jaguar Land Rover has announced cut-backs at Castle Bromwich in the Midlands and Halewood on Merseyside, while Nissan is slashing production at Sunderland. '

@ A Attard and J Debattista ...one advice - look at the world around you.

Chris Zammit (on 28/10/08)

Trelleborg & Methode are initiating 4-day weeks, property & financial markets are languishing, fuel is selling at 60 dollars a barrel, and our Government's sole worry is that of imposing more taxes, fees and burdens.

Henrik Piski (on 28/10/08)

Isn't it obvious that when car production sites in Europe close for weeks or send their staff on leave that it will not reflect on suppliers even in Malta? This is global market and there is nothing a government can do about it. If people buy less cars in Spain (-35%) or France, than Methode or ST or Bosch do not need to supply the car constructors in the same level as they used to be....

Byron Camilleri (on 28/10/08)

Very worrying....

A. Attard (on 28/10/08)

@ edgoose and sullivan

ohhhh of course its fault of the global crises right??? yes yes it is! sorry i was wrong!

Do you think ppl are so stupid? Before the election the government said everything is ok right?

Unbelievable!

Sam Ramage (on 28/10/08)

@ all would you all be saying that if the shoe was on the other foot, I have no political axe to grind with any party.

Winston Edgoose (on 28/10/08)

@A.Attard & J.Debattista

What's voting PN got to do with it?

This is an effect from global forces, no matter who was in power the effects would still be felt.

Simon Sullivan (on 28/10/08)

and A Attard doesn't think the ubiquitous world financial crisis could have had some teeny tiny influence on this sad state of affairs. iva kollox huwa possibli ... the second you open your eyes and realise how much better off we are currently doing when compared to other European countries you will realise that the odd 30 years the nationalists have been in power the Maltese have amassed enough liquidity to cushion the blow !

John Debattista (on 28/10/08)

@ A Attard
I agree with you,those who voted for the P.N pls Take Note.

Phil Press (on 28/10/08)

@ Ramon, this is only the start, wait till employees want a pay rise to pay for extortinate utlity bills. Back dated from 1st. October. Not to worry the short fall in their salary, will be compensated by a "merry xmas" card from the government.

Stephen Carr (on 28/10/08)

Could this sad piece of news perhaps bring the government to itssenses? This and Trelleborg's are only the tip of the iceberg. It is high time the Government starts supporting manufacturing industries and their beleaguered employees AND NOT persist in pushing them and all Maltese underwater by imposing taxes in a despotic and dictatorial manner.

A. Attard (on 28/10/08)

heq flimkin kollox possibli hux??? Even going on four-day week. I'm sorry for the workers but hope those who voted PN are taking the lesson.

Carlo Laurenti (on 28/10/08)

Very depressing to read about Methode, sepecially since I personally worked there for a number of years myself in the past as a Purchasing & Contratacing Officer & Administrator.

Good luck guys, my thoughts are with you all.

Very best regards

Carlo.

Ramon Zammit (on 28/10/08)

I hate to see such good companies taking such drastic measures....its really sad and worrying

Updated: Methode Electronics going on four-day week

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