Ernst & Young asked to carry out 'fundamental changes'' to Air Malta plan

Consultants Ernst & Young have been asked to carry out 'fundamental changes' to their proposals on Air Malta's restructuring, the Finance Ministry said this afternoon.

In a statement reacting to comments by the GWU yesterday, the ministry called for prudence and respect for the Air Malta restructuring process, while insisting that no plan has been finalised yet for consideration by the EU.

The GWU warned yesterday that it did not agree with proposals involving the workers and said it would not back the final report unless proper consultation was made and agreement was reached.

The Finance Ministry said the Restructuring Committee has not been asked to approve the plan.

Following an extensive review of the airline's position by Ernst & Young, the plan was presented to the committee for its consideration. The members were asked to state their positions on what had been proposed.

The ministry said the GWU was well aware that following its presentation, Ernst & Young was asked to carry out fundamental changes, which were currently in progress. Therefore, no one should prejudice the work currently in progress.

The ministry said it was appealing to all sectors to continue to contribute for the airline to be placed on a firm footing, since failure would bring about negative consequences for the economy. It also insisted that confidentiality about what was under discussion must be respected as disclosure of information would be harmful for the airline and the country.

LABOUR PARTY STATEMENT

Meanwhile, the Labour Party in a statement criticised the government for having demanded a written confidentiality agreement before showing its representatives on the committee the plans proposed for Air Malta.

The party in a statement over the signature of Marie-Louise Coleiro Preca (its health spokesman) said its commitment was to the country and the people and it did not require any contract to ensure that the national interest was safeguarded.

This, after all, was the government which promised Air Malta workers that their jobs were safe, but was now bent on continuing to destroy the airline.