Employees at security printing company De La Rue face an uncertain Christmas as they wait anxiously to hear if they are among the 400 employees being laid off.
“My Christmas spirit this year is almost non-existent. How can I celebrate when there’s a chance that I will be one of those who will end up jobless in April?” an employee told The Sunday Times of Malta.
This sentiment was echoed by other workers, who all spoke on condition of anonymity due to a media ban imposed by the company.
How can I celebrate when there’s a chance that I will be one of those who will end up jobless?
De La Rue, the world’s largest supplier of passports, which started operations in Malta in 1975, announced extensive redundancies earlier this month as it proposed to phase out the printing of banknotes in Malta.
According to plans made public so far, these redundancies will amount to some 400 jobs and be spread over two-and-a-half years – 50 by the end of April, another 80 by end of April 2017 and 270 by April 2018. Of these, some 100 employees will be redeployed.
De La Rue workers afraid to speak out
The uncertainty is taking its toll on workers.
“They keep telling us talks are under way but when we ask who is going to be asked to leave we don’t get a direct answer,” another employee said.
A heartbroken worker said he and his wife had agreed to spend “the least possible” on presents this year, and they were hoping relatives would buy their children presents that would make up for his “miserable” gifts.
Other employees with fewer financial commitments said they were more concerned about those who were in their 50s as it was more difficult for them to find another job.
“Imagine if it was my father being made redundant, it would be almost impossible for him to find a job,” another worker said.
They keep telling us talks are under way
Employees fear speaking out as they have been given a confidential document with replies to frequently asked questions, including one on how to fend off journalists and refer them to management for comments.
When contacted, a company spokesman said discussions with the General Workers’ Union, which represents the workers, were under way and it was premature to comment further.
He said talks would resume after the festive season and after the company’s shutdown period.
Sources close to the union said workers had been split into groups according to their age so as to structure negotiations.
While it was trying to negotiate early retirement packages for those closer to retirement age, it was seeking alternatives for others, leaving redundancy as a last resort.
matthew.xuereb@timesofmalta.com