Stainless Steel to return to five-day week
The 107 workers at Stainless Steel Products Ltd will be returning to a five-day week on Monday.
The workers have been on a four-day week for the past two-months since production at this company had dropped to 60 per cent.
Following an agreement with the government, the company is going to widen its operation lines, getting work which used to be done in China to Malta. It will be investing 300,000 euros in new equipment and tooling.
CEO Joe Delia told a news conference that one of the most decisive elements in this decision was the long-sighted policy of the Maltese government amidst the international financial situation. This policy was admired by the company.
Similar agreements have already been reached with Methode and Trelleborg.
Finance Minister Tonio Fenech said these were the biggest three companies with workers on a four-day week. Discussions are ongoing with other companies, including ST.
The government's policy, the minister said, remained to help companies invest.
ME chairman Alan Camilleri said there was a common element in the three agreements with all companies investing in a higher added value lines.
(Photo: DOI, Martin Attard)
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Alfred Cassar
Mar 13th 2009, 21:54
@ R Sammut & Laurence Schembri
Where is your solidarity????
I never expect that people like you really exist. What if something happens to the company you work with? Wouldn't you like us to show solidarity with you and the company that employs you?
Come on, dont let your partisan politics blind you. Grow up
Anthony Castillo.
Mar 13th 2009, 21:14
The results talk for themselves. This could be only when you have a primeminister and a very smart and credible goverment. T
Gianninu Saliba
Mar 13th 2009, 18:44
Viva Gonzipn. Viva Gonzi. Viva l-PN. Kif qed taqsmilhom qalbhom, Prim. Hello Joseph, say something.
jcmicallef
Mar 13th 2009, 17:19
dear moaners, you have to choose between the following: 1 - financing the laid-off workers with benefits from your taxes (at no added value), or 2 - incentivise their work, if necessarily by allocated some of your taxes, but with the difference that these are creating value-added to the country, apart form imporving on morale in general and sense of purpose (which has no price) up to you.
A. D'Amato
Mar 13th 2009, 17:06
When something goes wrong .... it's always GonziPN to blame ... when government helps workers to maintain their jobs then noooo ... (ma tarax, x'ghandu x'jaqsam) it's not thanks to who takes decisions ....
J Busuttil
Mar 13th 2009, 16:41
Where are the GEMGEM people. Gemgem on this too.
jcmicallef
Mar 13th 2009, 16:07
that's good news.
wish SSP management and staff best of success.
they've been established for a long span of time and are an excellent testimonial of maltese worksmanship and creativity.
laurence schembri
Mar 13th 2009, 15:22
You are dead right Mr. R. Sammut, at what cost?
No. Mr. A. Abela, it is not thanks to gonzipn, it`s thanks to the tax-payer.
Please explain, how can a firm working on a four day week can afford to invest?
This is a case of creating another Malta Drydock in disguise.
Manuel Mifsud
Mar 13th 2009, 15:03
Flimkien Kollox Possibbli - Gonzipn
P Mifsud
Mar 13th 2009, 14:48
@a abela
The world recession and the competitiveness, marketing and sucess of all factories has nothing to do with GonziPN!
Kenneth Spiteri
Mar 13th 2009, 14:45
@ R Sammut.
If you think about it, the only one thing common that may exist is the rent these companies pay to government that it is huge, I must admit that the government is doing a very good job in intervening to safeguard jobs...
Well done to government....
Lisa Galea
Mar 13th 2009, 14:42
@Mr R. Sammut.
It has now become rethoric to say one is a tax payer. So are not 107 workers plus families tax payers. Would you rather have them on dole and still pay for them any way?
Kindly be constructive in your comments, the industry is needed in Malta.
a abela
Mar 13th 2009, 13:48
All this thanks to GONZIPN
C Zammit
Mar 13th 2009, 13:37
WHAT , NO COMMENTS ?
R Sammut
Mar 13th 2009, 13:18
Not to be cynical... Whilst showing my solidarity to the workers who are returning to a normal working week, I (as at tax payer) wish to know what the government is promising/giving these companies to stay in Malta and also to widen their operations.
Hopefully the government is not promising something which can't be delivered or else be an extra tax burden on the rest of the economy...