Redundancies at GFI, the local branch of an international software firm, were part of attempts to streamline operations and the company said it was committed to continue making a success of its Malta operation.

“The company regretfully had to make three roles redundant as part of its endeavours to streamline operations. Coupled with this, the company also terminated the employment of two employees who were in their probationary period,” Mr Calleja said.

“All five terminations were handled in a professional manner and generous severance packages were provided. No software development/programming roles were affected.”

GFI Malta general manager Josef Calleja said the company had made five people redundant and not 12 as stated in a report in Times of Malta on June 13.

Prior to publishing the story, Times of Malta had sent several questions to GFI Software asking about the termination of what sources had said were 12 employees. The only reply received was that “a very small number of roles are being made redundant in Malta”.

In a statement, Mr Calleja said GFI Software did not immediately release this information “out of respect for the individuals concerned, who were still undergoing related processes when your newspaper chose to release its own inaccurate version of events”.

At no point did the company opt to correct the information presented to it by Times of Malta before publication of the story.

“As a privately-owned international software company, GFI Software operates within the dynamic IT industry. Forming part of this fast-paced, highly competitive sphere means that sometimes hard decisions need to be taken to improve efficiencies, as part of the natural ebb and flow that businesses face,” Mr Calleja said.

He said the software firm was committed to “build on its successful track record to date and proceed with its plans for continued success”.

“GFI has invested in Malta for over a decade, in which time its workforce has tripled. Late last year, the company moved its 150 Malta employees to brand new, state-of-the-art premises in Mrieħel. GFI’s Malta office hired 50 employees in the past two years,” he said.