Needlessly hurting Gozo

Critics of the Gozo Channel service would probably say they noticed little difference when the ‘go-slow’ directives were issued to the company’s employees, while the union behind them will accuse the government of failing to act promptly.

But there is one point upon which practically every Gozitan will agree: this was the worst possible time to threaten todisrupt the service.

Anyone who has more familiarity with Gozo than a few weekend trips a year will tell you how hard seasonality hits the tiny island. It is bustling in summer, ticking over in autumn and spring, but deader than a dodo in winter.

For Gozitans involved in the tourist industry – which is a pretty big chunk – winter is the time to take a holiday, to add fresh coats of paint to their establishments and, as has become increasingly common, to go into hibernation until the clocks spring forward.

In the past some hotels have quite literally shut their doors in an effort to save money – the philosophy being this is a cheaper option than staying open in a period of low demand.

It is not just hoteliers that apply this philosophy. Finding a restaurant open during the week can be as trying a task as spotting a seahorse in the water at Mġarr ix-Xini.

Gozitans can be accused of being self-defeating when they talk about the island being a year-round destination only to close most of the eateries during the week.

Though there is little doubt that more could be done to attract higher numbers to Gozo in the less popular months – being more competitive would be a good start – mounting bills and a dearth of clients do not encourage restaurateurs to remain open.

That all changes, albeit briefly, with the bonanza carnival weekend, when the Maltese descend on Gozo like locusts in the blazing Santa Marija sun.

Sure, some just head off to Nadur and revel in what is these days a very commercialised atmosphere. But many others stay there for an entire weekend – patronising thirsty hotels, farmhouses and restaurants.

It is precisely this kind of trade, vital business, that was threatened by the Union Ħaddiema Magħudin’s threat of action over a disputed collective agreement. Irrespective of the merits of the cause, sowing this uncertainty in the minds of Maltese planning to make the crossing was an irresponsible act that cannot but be condemned.

The UĦM obviously timed the threat to give it more leverage with the government in negotiations. And in striking a last-minute agreement, it would probably argue that the ends justified the means it adopted.

But in the process it placed the commercial interests of the small island in jeopardy. People who had already made bookings may have been tempted to cancel while the undecided were more likely to stay home and avoid the hassle.

And unless it was lost on them, if Gozo does badly so does the company that operates what most of the time is a highly efficient ferry service.

It is worrying that none of these considerations seem to have affected the UĦM’s actions and that it paid scant attention to the interests of Gozo as a whole.

In the challenging times we are living in, unions should be seeing what they can do to contribute to economic growth, not sabotage it.