GWU accuses government on shipyards

The General Workers' Union has accused the government of ignoring several of its letters requesting a discussion on the privatisation of the shipyards despite a promise to hold talks made last year.

On February 25, union general secretary Tony Zarb wrote to Finance Minister Tonio Fenech to say that, although the timeframe for companies to submit their offers for the shipyards had closed, the government had not yet discussed the issue with the GWU.

On March 2, it said, Mr Zarb wrote to Mr Fenech again, this time informing him the shipyards were refusing repair and galvanising works which were profitable.

Moreover, the union said it was still awaiting the implementation of a retirement scheme for workers aged between 47 and 52, which it had already discussed with the Employment and Training Corporation and the ministry's secretariat.