Prime Minister Joseph Muscat yesterday insisted that his government was keeping the pre-election promise made to Enemalta employees that the State energy provider would not be privatised.
The government yesterday published a draft Bill aimed at dissolving Enemalta Corporation and creating two limited liability companies to take over its assets and liabilities, as well as responsibility for its more than 1,500 workers.
Dr Muscat said that what mattered most was not the privatisation but that all Enemalta workers would keep their jobs.
Asked by Times of Malta whether he stuck to the line that the government would not be privatising Enemalta, when it was selling full control of its primary asset – the BWSC power plant in Delimara – Dr Muscat insisted the promise was being kept.
“What has been promised to Enemalta employees before the election still stands. I promised them they would retain their job and all their conditions of work. They know that I am keeping my word with them,” he said.
Pressed on the fact that the government was selling all its shareholding in the BWSC plant and another 33 per cent stake in the corporation, Dr Muscat said this was not privatisation.
“We (Malta) will still maintain full control over Enemalta,” he insisted.
The Sunday Times of Malta last week revealed a secret recording of Dr Muscat addressing Enemalta employees in a private meeting before the election categorically ruling out any form of privatisation of Enemalta.
“Our plans do not include the privatisation of Enemalta. Make sure you understand this,” he had told workers.
A few months after the election, the government struck a deal with Chinese state company Shanghai Electric to buy 33 per cent of Enemalta and the BWSC plant for €320 million.
“The Chinese saved Enemalta,” the Prime Minister said yesterday.
According to the draft Bill, two companies – Enemalta PLC and Engineering Resources Ltd – will take over from Enemalta Corporation.
This will pave the way for the Chinese to come in as shareholders and put their representatives on the new board of directors.
Engineering Resources Ltd will have no activity but is going to be used as a vehicle to employ the workers on Enemalta’s books. The Bill needs to be debated and approved by Parliament.