Wrong conclusions on Air Malta workers’ future

I refer to the article GWU Warns Of Action At Air Malta Over Job Losses (June 23).

The article refers to a comment by GWU secretary general, Tony Zarb and states that “Mr Zarb claimed the government’s change of heart was first detected when Parliamentary Secretary Mario de Marco said Air Malta workers, like the Selmun Hotel workers, did not have job guarantees”.

The source of Mr Zarb’s comments is a news feature that was screened on One News on June 13. The feature stated that, when questioned on whether he was in a position to offer a guarantee on the basis that what happened to the workers at Selmun Hotel would not happen to Air Malta workers, Dr de Marco replied that “I am not responsible for Air Malta, so I am not in such a position. I hope, however, that there will be work for everyone”.

Mr Zarb’s conclusion that Dr de Marco had stated that “Air Malta workers, like the Selmun Hotel workers, did not have job guarantees” is therefore his (Mr Zarb’s) conclusion and in no way should it be attributed to the parliamentary secretary. Never did Dr de Marco say that “Air Malta workers, like the Selmun Hotel workers, did not have job guarantees”.

Thus, Mr Zarb’s comments are factually wrong.