More than 500 Air Malta employees have applied for the company's early retirement and voluntary redundancy schemes, the Finance Ministry said today.
Speaking following the closure of the schemes for employees represented by the General Workers Union, which represent the majority of the airline's workforce, Finance Minister Tonio Fenech said:
"This is a very important step towards saving over 800 jobs at the company. Company staff levels are being restructured to competitive levels modelled on leading international airlines.
"This has been achieved with the full support of the unions. Achieving the reduction this way enables the company to move forward quickly with its restructuring plan and cultural transformation into an efficient and service oriented carrier. The schemes were designed to encourage staff to apply and this is exactly what has been achieved".
The minister said that the company and the government, as the major shareholder, have taken care to ensure that employees retiring from their job are not only given adequate compensation but also supported through the Employment and Training Corporation to find alternative employment.
"We want to ensure a viable future for the company while at the same time ensuring the least possible social impact for workers and their families."
Another 50 employees have applied for alternative jobs within the public sector and a formal selection process will now be conducted. Further reductions will also take place in management and cabin crew staffing.
The challenge now is to implement the necessary changes in work practices, rostering rules, multi-skilling, new duties for flight crew that underpin the improved levels of efficiency and service needed to return Air Malta to profitability.
Employees who have applied for the schemes will leave the airline over the next six months. Over 90 employees have already left the company and found an alternative job or taken early retirement.
Voluntary redundancy and early retirement applications for cabin crew staff close on February 17 and for management on February 22.
In the meantime the airline is also reviewing and appointing employees for the 135 restructured posts within the new organisation structure of the airline. Over 273 employees have submitted their interest.
Air Malta is on schedule with the implementation of the Restructuring Plan as announced two weeks ago. The airline is confident that through the support of all stakeholders it will manage to transform Air Malta into a modern vibrant carrier able to compete successfully in the ever evolving aviation business.