Finance Minister Tonio Fenech this afternoon presented a GWU delegation with details of early retirement schemes which the government will offer Malta Shipyards workers ahead of the privatisation of the enterprise.

The schemes were discussed at a second meeting held between the two sides since the privatisation of the dockyard was announced. Mr Fenech said the government had invited the union to give its reaction to the schemes. A third meeting it due to be held on Friday.

He explained that the early retirement schemes were open to all dockyard workers. While the schemes are voluntary, the government will not be able to guarantee the employment of those workers who opt to stay on at Malta Shipyards after it is sold.

Mr Fenech said that experts in the field said that in order for the shipyards to be viable the number of workers – who currently stood at 1,700 – had to decrease to between 450 and 700.

An international call for offers for the sale of Malta Shipyards will be issued on August 11.

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