Joinwell dismiss 37 employees
Furniture maker Joinwell has dismissed 37 workers - 32 from manufacturing and five from its administration.
A GWU spokesman said the union had been holding talks with the company for a year to try to avoid this situation, but the company had suffered a major drop in orders and the dismissals could not be avoided. He regretted that many of the dismissed workers had given long years of service.
The spokesman said the delay in the privatisation of the shipyards had negatively affected the company which was involved in a consortium which provided services for yachts.
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P Borg
Jun 23rd 2009, 02:13
@ P Goggi : your mother is lucky because she has furniture from the days when Joinwell was Joinwell quality. I am have not been so lucky with my kitchen. First a stupid mistake in measuring up, then the handles started breaking after just 6 weeks!
The price is not cheap when one compares to the same quality which is much cheaper in price. No, it comes as no surprise that Joinwell struggling. Poor workers, they are paying the price of others' mismanagement.
Joseph Vassallo
Jun 23rd 2009, 00:10
Isn't it a bit ridiculous to criticise the fact that Joinwell have a new showroom? It must have been nearly completed before the global depression started. What were they supposed to do? Knock it down because they lost orders? It is far better to survive this crisis and live to compete another day. I remember from some 50 years ago, that Joinwell were reputed to be a first-class employer who didn't employ monkeys and therefore didn't pay or charge peanuts. Best of luck to the firm and to all its employees. I hope the present circumstances will change and that things start to look up soon.
Peter Bonnici
Jun 22nd 2009, 22:43
@ Vassallo Chris
Perhaps you may contact the Joinwell Group and ask them to get you in touch with some of their former employees. I am sure that they do so willingly especially if the people they just fired had been loyal employees for so long.
Carlos Delarenta
Jun 22nd 2009, 22:41
Its a shame that in Malta a lot of people don't understand anything about furniture......the stable of brands that are present at the Joinwell Showroom is one of the best on this island. A lot of shops here in Malta carry brands that are low end and the consumer gets to pay high prices for unbranded furniture. At Joinwell you pay a price, you get the brand, you get the quality, you get good designs and you also get the best service on the island, before, during and after. One thing that a lot of people are not understanding is that the showroom has nothing to do with the factory so Mr.Gauci, you are wrong in saying that this is a new way of celebrating the new showroom. I'm sure that before they fired these people the Galea's did their best to try and retain these employees.Before firing comments like the ones I've read so far, one should understand the industry and then start to write. Its very easy to point fingers and judge. No one wrote anything about the success the showroom is, and no one wrote anything about the new sales team that the showroom employed.
Manuel Scicluna
Jun 22nd 2009, 22:29
The showroom is such a state of the art and does really impress the people. Probably It is not very long ago that the minister came with the scissors to cut the ribbon. Now the minister will come with the same scissors and cut another 37 jobs.... and we have 40% of the electorate to vote in favour of this situation.
It seems to me that this bombastic showroom is such a showcase without display
Ronnie Gauci
Jun 22nd 2009, 21:02
Sometimes I don't trust claims that there was a major drop in orders, if so one would have never opened a million euro showroom just weeks before, this has become the most popular excuse right now during this recession to fire your workers. My opinion is that Joinwell is opting to start importing DIY foreign furniture instead producing it themselves, obviously this will result in a number of workers becoming useless. It will surely also result in a drop in quality.
steve elliott,uk
Jun 22nd 2009, 20:42
Is this the thin edge of the wedge ??
Vassallo Chris
Jun 22nd 2009, 19:59
Times are very difficult for everyone and now especially for the famalies of these 37 people who lost their job. Vassallo Joiners in Mosta are looking for Carpenters and CNC operator. If you happen to know anyone looking for a job kindly ask them to call on 21432333. Chris
Daniel Goggi
Jun 22nd 2009, 19:20
Maybe, and I say Maybe..... the reason for a drop in sales could be the excessive prices Joinwell have for any item, unit or piece of furniture that they have?
Its true quality comes at a price, but the prices I saw once, twice, and I could keep on going... are phenomenal. Especially for young couples who ARE willing to make a sacrifice for their home but again, there is a limit to one's budget. Picture this: someone just bought a home, and had to refurbish.. then comes the kitchen, the living room, the bedroom.. all expenses...
Their showroom is beautiful, the service is excellent (at least their sales team has an excellent approach with potential clients, thats how far I got), their after sales is also of very good quality, my mother has Joinwell furniture and still finds their aftersales to be very goof too. But I don't afford those prices, and the feel I get from all of my friends who are better off or in the same budget I am in, is the same feeling I have. If only prices were that 30% cheaper...
A pity indeed.
John Tanti
Jun 22nd 2009, 18:52
joinwell prices may be very high..thats why people are staying away
N Farrugia
Jun 22nd 2009, 18:52
Ronnie Gauci
Jun 22nd 2009, 18:28
Are these sackings a new way to celebrate the opening of their new showroom??