The Government's sale of its remaining 40 per cent stake in Maltapost will result in more expensive postal services and more demotivated staff, Żminijietna - the Voice of the Left - yesterday claimed.

In a statement, Żminijietna spokesman Michael Briguglio said the sale of the last few shares was the final step in the dismantling of the postal service as a public service. He said: "Maltapost workers and clients may expect inferior working conditions and services in the years to come."

The organisation accused the Government of washing its hands of providing a public service with social responsibility.