PN airs new parts of conversation between Zarb and contractor
The Nationalist Party this evening aired new sections of a recorded conversation in which GWU general secretary Tony Zarb is heard telling a contractor he could help when it came to tenders if his company had a good relationship with the union - especially if there was a change of government.
The GWU yesterday said that the recording was deceitful as it was heavily edited and Mr Zarb today filed a libel suit against Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi, PN general secretary Paul Borg Olivier, PN president Marthese Portelli and medialink head of news Nathaniel Attard.
The PN aired new parts of the recording during a news conference at the PN headquarters in Pieta this afternoon.
In the part of the conversation aired today, the contractor is asked whether he thought an article like that would have appeared in the union’s newspapers if his workers were in the union.
Dr Borg Olivier said that in his discussion with the contractor, Mr Zarb made two grievous errors - when he said that he would help the contractor move tenders along and when he blackmailed him using the union’s media.
“This is pre-meditated corruption,” he said.
Dr Borg Olivier added that whether or not precarious employment was mentioned was irrelevant as the conversation was not on improving workers’ conditions but rather about the relations between the contractor and the union.
He reiterated his calls for Dr Muscat to ask for Mr Zarb’s resignation but refused to confirm or deny if the contractor in question was Dominic Gafa from Mach-Clean Ltd.
When asked about his trip on a yacht with contractor Zaren Vassallo, Dr Borg Olivier said that, in hindsight, he could have avoided the trip but Mr Vassallo was a member of the PN member and a former Nationalist Party mayor.
Moreover, Dr Borg Olivier said, he was not a decision maker.
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Joanne Camilleri
Feb 10th, 09:12
It seems that although on the billboard, Dr Gonzi and Dr Busuttil are looking in the same direction, they are seeing things differently. Dr Busuttil was clear that the patients shall get the refund when they buy the medicines which are out of stock and now Dr Gonzi is saying that the pharmacist will get the refund.
It is obvious that they do not know what they are saying!
B Ellul
Feb 11th, 15:54
It seems that it's difficult for you to understand. Both are saying that the patient will not pay extra...either by being refunded or the pharmacist giving the medice at no cost to the patient.
YOU know what you're saying mela!
peppino schembri
Feb 9th, 17:17
I think the P. N are just messing things up. They are trying to cling to everything that might give them some kind of advantage even to non sense. They are showing that they are not prepare to campain and they do not have plans for the party let alone the country. They are just following Labour. This time Joseph leads, Gonzi follows....or trying to....somehow.
M. Baron
Feb 9th, 11:35
Dr. Borg Olivier, had your trip on a YACHT not been made public, would there have been a case of Hindsight?
Was the trip premeditated, or did it just happen?
Andre Bugeja
Feb 9th, 11:07
The PN are just ensuring their destruction now ! Anything they do is fake !
marthese tonna
Feb 9th, 10:06
"Moreover, Dr Borg Olivier said, he was not a decision maker"
Mela ga sirt irrelevanti Sur Borg Olivier?
Ramon Casha
Feb 9th, 07:56
"Dr Borg Olivier added that ... precarious employment was ... irrelevant as ... improving workers’ conditions"
See how easy it is to change the meaning of words by carefully leaving bits out? Until the entire conversation is made public without any parts left out, the bits and pieces being published are not meaningful.
Mr B Vella
Feb 9th, 07:30
Malta needs Joseph Muscat !!!!!
j brincat
Feb 9th, 07:29
It is to be remembered that precarious work came into fashion mostly under GonziPN.
Worse still we have now the working poor - a new social threat!
This what the PN apologists should denounce if they have a social conscience, of course!
jb
Mr Alexander Azzopardi
Feb 9th, 05:50
Ta labour jipromwovu l ghaqda, l unita u l imhabba u tal Pn jitfa it tajn
Joseph Scicluna
Feb 10th, 17:51
Staqsi lil Anglu Farrugia u L'Adrian Vassallo!
Joseph Gerardi
Feb 9th, 05:24
What a prat the PN ended up with after Joe Saliba. This JPO would not even make it to Parker in the supermarionation Thunderbirds. Definitely not the guy to trust a pink , heavy armoured, six wheeled Rolls-Royce with even with all the strings attached.
carlos ellul
Feb 8th, 21:53
I am more concerned if a company that relies on this modern slavery would bent Over backwards so that a main party will score some brownie points
K.G. Vella
Feb 9th, 00:46
You've hit the nail on the head Carlos!
Alex Cassar
Feb 8th, 21:48
The more this campaign goes the more I will Confirm my vote. . . Joseph Muscat Malta needs you as early as possible . . Lawrence Gonzi decreased stipendium for me and I will never forget your lies regarding this issue and other matters. . .
Joseph Scicluna
Feb 9th, 06:19
http://nvdatabase.swarthmore.edu/content/maltese-students-defend-stipends-cuts-1997
Aqra w xtarr!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
James Grech
Feb 8th, 21:36
PBO is definitely the most hilarious politician around. He said that he sees nothing unethical in his behaviour when he accepted the invitation to go on Vassalo's yacht. That is a far cry from the European credentials of transparency and accountability. John Dalli can say a thing or two in this regards.
N. Aquilina
Feb 8th, 21:15
Kampanja mahmuga gejja donnha! Il Media tal PN jekk m' ghandiex x'tahbi ghandha ixxandar ir recording kollu u mhux dak il pastazata ta editing, hemm biss jistaw isiru il kundanni!
U ma ndahhqux nies ta ghax jekk il GWU marbuta mal PL il UHM u il GRTU marbutin mal PN (Gejtu Vella & Vince Farrugia)niskanta kif ix xiedha falza ta Vince Farrugia lil tal PN ma xxukjathomx imma jixxukjahom xi haga hekk
Andrew Azzopardi
Feb 8th, 20:52
The biggest problem in Maltese politics is that once elected people remain in power for decades. We have many examples: Borg Olivier, Mintoff, EFA, Sant & I sadly expect Gonzi to do the same. This seems to be an issue for the unions as well. How is TZ still the boss of gwu??
George Cassar
Feb 8th, 20:50
Dr. Borg Olivier,
You should get your facts right at least! Do you know how long ago Zaren was a PN Mayor?
Ronnie Callus
Feb 8th, 20:47
Dr.Gonzi should have resigned and gave example to others to follow. This all show that the party is clinging even to a straw to survive, but PL are not going to give them breath.The best way is to give them no answers as they most of the time do.Its better for them to see about the corruption under their governance and not waste our time.
Maria Borg
Feb 8th, 20:38
If you were so convinced that this was corruption, why didn't you go straight to the Police Commissioner? .... Oops sorry he cannot make his own decisions unless they pull his string !!!!!!
Mary Ann Borg
Feb 8th, 20:29
And the best thing of all is that Lawrence Gonzi and PN has put Malta in such a good economic situation that Tony Zarb could not even find one excuse to bring his people out on the streets. Tony's counterparts in Greece, Spain, Italy and Cyprus have their union members marching daily in protest, but here we are living well while the neigbours are drowning.
Mr Stephen Borg
Feb 8th, 23:07
Yeah Yeah, It seems that you are living in a uthopia, what kind of jobs are you refering to? Because the Maltese Labor market is built upon cheap labor and explotation and this is why International companies continue to invest in Malta because lets face it who would not invest in Malta considering that the average yearly wage is around 15000 Euros, they would be mad not to.
pat muscat
Feb 8th, 20:19
I smell something fishy because the cleaning contractor involved in the alleged precarious practice gets a lot of Government contracts notwithstanding that precarious employment is unethical. Caritas said that the the increase in the' new poor some 85,00 strong,come from many families who work hard, are on minimum wage or even below it! This is all about Gonzi's social conscience credentials.
m. borg (slm)
Feb 8th, 20:18
"He reiterated his calls for Dr Muscat to ask for Mr Zarb’s resignation ...." how stupid can one get. What power does Joseph have on Tony Zarb.
PL is not the GWU and it is the GWU that has to take matters in hand and only on real and not doctored videos.
Using captions to describe what is being said stinks of manipulation of evidence.
George Cassar
Feb 8th, 20:13
Dr. Borg Olivier,
You should get your facts right at least! Do you know how long ago Zaren was a PN Mayor? As usual, you are very prone to gaffes! Same as the email. Good one! I'm sure many Nationalists will tell you Joe Saliba never made any gaffes in his tenure!
Peppi Borg
Feb 8th, 20:08
Uzguur! PBO could have avoided going on Zaren's yacht, Lawrence Gonzi could have avoided rewarding himself and his cabinet 600 euros payrise a week, Simon Busuttil could have avoided calling Deborah Schembri wicc ta' nazzjonalista... Quo Vadis PN?
Peppi Borg
Feb 8th, 20:06
When is PBO going to the Police with the recording, since he is so sure taht it is a case of corruption? What is PBO's role as general secretary, if as he said, is not a decision maker?
K.G. Vella
Feb 8th, 20:04
Why hasn't the whole tape been released? Why hasn't it been handed over to the police? Will Paul Borg Olivier tell us if and when this will happen? If what he is stating is true it is baffling how the police have not been involved yet.
Joe Sammut
Feb 8th, 19:25
The GWU is a political arm of the Labour Party, just look at its representatives and its members they’re ALL Socialists. Look also at its history.
I don’t find anything wrong about a union helping a party, but this should be done in the open and abiding to the laws of the land.
George Cassar
Feb 8th, 19:52
I'm sure you would have said the same to Gejtu Vella and Vince Farrugia had they sided their union with PL! Everyone know UHM under Gejtu was a hidden asset to the PN. Look how Gejtu asked for 23euros a week increase in 1997 only to SHUT UP completely after 2008! Pharisees!
C. Bartoli
Feb 8th, 19:20
You all MLP supporters really make me laugh when you mention precarious jobs. Jobs in Malta can never be precarious then they were when Mintoff was in power. Young men and women could choice working for Blue bell or Sanga or Dejma or maybe il-Fabbrika tal Kappara and if you were lucky enough to have the opportunity to be allowed to study and sit for exams become a public clerk or a bank clerk
K.G. Vella
Feb 8th, 19:59
Mr Bartoli, do you know what a precarious job is? Do you have any idea of how people can survive with wages below the minimum wage and no rights for leave whatsoever? This is the fate of many a Maltese and Gozitan today.
Malcolm Farrugia
Feb 8th, 19:16
If PBO is so sure about this alleged corruption, then when is he going to speak to the police commissioner with the "evidence" in hand? As the saying goes, actions speaks louder than words, and if he takes no action than his words will be just a sound in thin air!
C. Bartoli
Feb 8th, 19:12
It will be back to Lorry Sant times, Malta Taghna , min mhux maghna kontra taghna , mela Malta taghna u mhux ta min hu kontra taghna tfisser , l-ewwel Labour, imbghad Labour u jekk jibqa xi haga Labour , il vangelu skont Debono Grech il partner tal Lorry fi zmien l-ikrah tat Tarzna bil barka tal GWU
George Cassar
Feb 8th, 20:14
Mr. Bartoli, you are afraid of shadows! Beware not to turn off your lights at night (even to save some electricity)!
Carmel Ellul
Feb 9th, 09:08
George Cassar , yes you are correct , I am still afraid of the shadows where Sant's henchmen used to lurk , and why persons like me had to be given protection by their family and friends , the reason is because the same henchemen are still lurking in your Muscat PL movement.
Nenu Cassar
Feb 8th, 19:12
Many are missing clear facts. The PL accuses the PN of misdeeds and of harbouring corrupt people. The PL is promising a new beginning free from corruption and nepotism. It clearly appears that a deed is deemed bad or else excusable according to which party/affiliate commits it. Whatever the PL says I can see no 'clean' future as the party does not really want to clean Malta when it is elected.
Alex Debono
Feb 8th, 19:10
Didn't know that the GWU were contesting the general election. X'ħela ta' ħin.
C. Bartoli
Feb 8th, 19:10
Labour is safe for business.
GWU threaten free businessmen into joining their union.
And they use their media to attack free business.
I am wondering. If they help the businessmen to win the tenders, do they also ask for a cut or a commission?
Labour is known for institutionalised corruption. Now they have evolved the art into unionised corruption as well.
Ethelbert Schembri
Feb 8th, 19:05
The PN using the Straw Man fallacy to try discredit the GWU and spin things against the PL... It is more than clear that the PN lost plot and they are trying to point their dirty fingers on others.
If the PN are so convinced about corruption why didn't they handed over this clip to the police?? What are they hiding?? On the other hand the GWU filed a libel against them..
Joseph John Zammit
Feb 8th, 18:51
Whats all this fuss about the GWU? I dont care about it and this is no news to me.
Andrew Vella
Feb 8th, 19:13
You may not care about it Joseph John Zammit but for thousands of other people it is a strong reminder of the way PL people operate in and out of government, and yes the GWU are PL people.
Sam Borg
Feb 8th, 18:44
I am not trying to defend anyone here but in order to understand properly what Mr. Zarb did, we must listen to the whole conversation and not the selected edited pieces.... then we can make our conclusions.
Andrew Vella
Feb 8th, 19:15
I don't believe there is anyone who didn't understand what Mr Zarb did :)
Sam Borg
Feb 8th, 20:17
and I am sure everyone will understand better if we hear the whole conversation
C Cutajar
Feb 8th, 18:41
"When asked about his trip on a yacht with contractor Zaren Vassallo, Dr Borg Olivier said that, in hindsight, he could have avoided the trip but Mr Vassallo was a member of the PN member and, at the time, a Nationalist Party mayor."
When PBO was seen lounging on Zaren Vassallo's Yacht, the Mosta Local Council was under a PL mayorship! Zaren Vassallo was Mosta's Mayor in the 90's!
David Farrugia
Feb 8th, 18:39
can we hear the WHOLE recording please?
who is this contractor? does he employ workers precariously? And if so, did he ever get tenders awarded these past years?
This is the information intelligent people demand, before drawing conclusions.
Godfrey Grima
Feb 8th, 18:35
Why isn't the fact Zarb has now sued all not part of this story?
Francis Saliba M.D.
Feb 8th, 19:35
Because "suing for alleged libel" does not prove anything one way or the other. A notorious prostitute could very well sue anyone calling her a whore but that does not prove that she isn't a prostitute, not even if the case were to be decided in her favour years later.
Andre Briffa
Feb 8th, 18:28
Why is JM so scared to condemn Tony Zarb's actions and call for his resignation?? This is just the tip of the ice berg...more to come!
Victor Laiviera
Feb 8th, 18:41
Simple - because the entire video is not yet available. Anyone who comments before hearing the COMPLETE tape is jumping the gun ....
Andrew Vella
Feb 8th, 19:09
Hmm, who's clutching at straws now, Laiviera?
H. Psaila
Feb 8th, 19:39
Ghaliex qieghed taqbez ghalih Sur Laiviera? Miskien hux ghax tal-flotta Laburista hux u ma jaqbilx ghalikom hux specjlament fiz-zmien tal-elezzjoni hux.
Eman Formosa
Feb 8th, 18:28
@
So "j brincat asks 'What has the PL got to do with the GWU?' "
Seeing how the daily newspaper funded by union members (L-Orizzont) is running on full steam with propaganda in favour of the PL is one of the the answers dear friend 'j brincat'
Francis Sammut
Feb 8th, 18:27
Come on guys we've heard this before by both the NP and the LP, trying to throw mud at each other. I mean we still can remember when Dr. Austin Gatt tried not to let a Mr. Joe Mizzi from giving evidence before Parliament's Public Accounts Commitee, with the excuse that Mr. Mizzi had already gave evidence before the Auditor General. At that time we were wondering why Gatt would do such a a thing!
Donna Parnis
Feb 8th, 18:22
If the pn party had any guts instead of just mud slinging they would air the whole interview that was taped secretly, Or do they know they are in the wrong and are just trying to use any dirty trick. Come on PN air the whole thing and let us decide if what you are saying is TRUE OR UNTRUE.
C. Bartoli
Feb 8th, 18:58
Media Link invited all journalist to attend to their office and listen to the entire conversation. One wonder which journalists did not turn up for this invitation. Journalists also invited Toni Zarb to air his view about these allegations and funnily enough even he refused. if he does not turn up by Monday all the information will turn viral.
Mark Muscat
Feb 8th, 18:21
Are you serious J Brincat? What has MLP got to do with GWU? It's as if saying what do the hands go to do with the head! Shame on you JB, if you mention corruption every time you write something on The Times, then you should definitely mention it in this case.
Mr Albert Dimech
Feb 8th, 18:20
Mr Zarb is not a decision maker either, and what is PBO by the way? It is not true that Mr Vassallo was major when PBO and also Joe Saliba went on his yacht.
Victor Laiviera
Feb 8th, 18:15
So, once again, the PN expects us to swallow edited parts of the recording.
Why don't they air it all? What are they trying to hide?
Giov DeMartino
Feb 8th, 18:23
Ikejlu lil kulhadd b'xibirhom. Tiftakru l-famuza "ha joghlew il-prezzijiet, ha joghlew" Tiftakruha? Ara dik ma kinitx out of context. U dan kif jaf is-Sur Laiviera li dawn kienu edited parts? Imma, bilhaqq, is-Sur Laiviera kollox jaf.
Ethelbert Schembri
Feb 8th, 18:51
Yes Giov, we all remember that.. more over we are feeling it !!
Christopher Formosa
Feb 8th, 19:04
Amiltu ageb tant sur laviera fuq l is skandlu taz zejt!!...dik mhux jumping the gun qabel ma jispiccaw l investigazzjonijiet?....imma bilhaq....Tony Zarb qaddis...u il GWU independenti hux....m ghandhomx x jaqsmu mal pl....right.....hallina nghixu naqra....ha tkissruh pajjiz.....anekx xi 60 sena ukoll!!
Shaun Anthony Camilleri
Feb 8th, 18:13
I am totally off them and I can say that I have voted for Dr. Busutil in the past and for Tonio Borg. So I have voted Nationalist but they are becoming embarrassing with their total harassment of others instead of justifying why they treated us as if we were no bodies once they got what they wanted ? Our votes. And also the taxes they charged us so that they can make 'mistakes' that cost us millions
pat muscat
Feb 8th, 18:11
The dirty tricks brigade are out in force trying to desperately stem the hemorrhage of votes from its hold!
joseph green
Feb 8th, 18:19
This is the real thing , and that is why it is hard for you to believe , what we are hearing dear pat
Victor Laiviera
Feb 8th, 18:43
Only part of it, Mr Green - why not the whole thing?
joseph green
Feb 8th, 18:08
More to come , Tony
D Axisa
Feb 8th, 18:07
What's behind the recording? Why doesn't PBO want to publish the whole recording?
j brincat
Feb 8th, 18:05
Is this a soap opera?
Is this the way the PN expects to win the election?
What has the PL got to do with the GWU?
But as they say the drowning person clutches to the straw?
Be credible please!
jb
JOHN WHITE
Feb 8th, 18:19
Heheeee is this the joke of the year Mr brincat?? What has the PL got to do with GWU?? LOL Everybody knows that these are joint forces which their only aim is to attack the government/PN,this is not an opinion but a fact!! I think it`s more wiser to speak for the ISSA DAQSEKK chief in commander to be more credible.
joe farrugia
Feb 8th, 18:20
il verita il PN jissostanzja dak li jghid waqt li PL jitfa tajn biss jaf u jilqa lil korrotti li l-PN jkun keccihom .
Simon spiteri
Feb 8th, 18:21
They are married to each other that the link
JOHN WHITE
Feb 8th, 18:21
Ohh i forgot,the soap opera will continue until Mr Tony will resign. U Beautiful ikompli .....
Jo Camm
Feb 8th, 18:23
"What has the PL got to do with the GWU?"
Mela you forgot that the GWU is PL's partner?? Or 'sitting pretty' as we say.
Joseph E Briffa
Feb 8th, 18:24
'What has the PL got to do with the GWU?' you ask. That's the million dollar question. They are no longer wedded as they were in Mintoff's time, after all. They could have separated or divorced since then and are at each other's throat although only yesterday they were all smiles together. But you can never tell.What a question!
Michael Seychell
Feb 8th, 18:25
JB Keep in mind that the GWU was "married" with the Labour Party under Mintoff & KMB, whilst stated on air & in writing that the GWU was a "Preferred Union" of his Party. Moreover a few days ago whilst visiting the GWU referred to it as "Our Friends".
In these circumstances I have my doubts who is in danger of drowning.
Michael Seychell
Tal-Pieta
Neil Dent
Feb 8th, 18:39
jb (yawn),
You ask, "What has the PL got to do with the GWU?"
Well, jb, why not take your own advice and "Be credible please!"
nd
Alessandro Condorado
Feb 8th, 19:26
Please do remember that Alfred Sant had cut all ties with the GWU. The new movement of the PL is more interested in having an open and honest discussion with all the Trade Unions. In today's world you have to deal with all the stakeholders. Even the UĦM is trying to draw away from the PN. That is smart thinking.
Tony Agius
Feb 8th, 22:24
j brincat
donnu li first Love was never dead, infirdu imma baqghu jiltaqghu minwara il qwinti, hhe sorry ta ,imma fejn jarghahom kulhadd.
Wally Vella-Zarb
Feb 8th, 18:04
"Moreover, Dr Borg Olivier said, he was not a decision maker"
That's very convincing is it not? Perhaps he too has become "irrelevant"...
Please choose the reason of your report below: