The majority of workers at the recently-privatised dockyard and Manoel Island Yacht Yard joined the General Workers’ Union, general secretary Tony Zarb said yesterday.

He said the union had written to the management of the two components of the former Malta Shipyards, which were privatised earlier this year, to be granted sole recognition so negotiations on the collective agreements could begin. Italian firm Palumbo took over the management of the former dockyard in June and the Manoel Island Yacht Yard Consortium took over in July.

Mr Zarb was addressing retired members of the union’s metal and construction section.

He said the union was not foreseeing a positive year ahead, especially for those who were 48 years old and younger who, as from next year, would have to start paying extra national insurance contributions and will also be expected to invest in a second pillar pension. “This is too much for workers to handle,” he said.

Mr Zarb also referred to the €600-a-week increase ministers and parliamentary secretaries granted themselves, noting it would take workers 30 years to raise the same sum given the measly €1.16 weekly cost of living increase they were granted.

“It is obscene and a living proof of the government’s insensitivity towards people’s difficulties. But the time will come when it will have to face them,” he said.

He said that 924 new members joined the GWU between September and November, making the union stronger. “It has now been more than 20 years with a government that tried all sorts to destroy it but the GWU remained strong and continued to soldier on,” he said.

He ended his speech saying: “I can’t guarantee you will have a prosperous New Year but I sincerely wish you and your families a very good one.”