Enemalta employees are satisfied with Labour leader Joseph Muscat’s guarantee that their jobs are secure, according to General Workers’ Union chief Tony Zarb.

The union, which represents the vast majority of the corporation’s employees, welcomed Dr Muscat’s declaration on the jobs of the 1,558 people employed with the State energy supplier, Mr Zarb said.

The GWU’s general secretary was asked about the union’s stand on the jobs pledge made by Dr Muscat following his proposal of private sector investment in gas-powered electricity generation at the Delimara power station.

Dr Muscat has also said that under his watch, Enemalta would not be privatised.

Mr Zarb said Dr Muscat held a meeting with Enemalta employees behind closed doorsat the Rialto theatre in Cospicua last week where he answered their queries.

During the meeting, the party gave employees a detailed presentation of its energy proposal to build a new gas-fired power plant at Delimara to enable the government to reduce tariffs by 25 per cent for households and businesses.

They were also told that through its plan, the party was earmarking millions of euro to save the debt-ridden company and that this would, in turn, save their jobs.

“We are satisfied with the assurances given by Joseph Muscat to all the Enemalta workers that their jobs are guaranteed. They asked him whatever they liked and aired their concerns. After the meeting, the employees too were satisfied with this job guarantee,” Mr Zarb said.

Asked whether those working in energy generation would also be retained, especially when the Marsa power station was closed down once and for all, Mr Zarb said there was a wrong impression that most of Enemalta’s employees worked in generation.

Of the 1,558 employees, about 350 have clerical duties, some 600 work outside the power stations, others work in its petroleum division and in distribution centres while around 400 are employed in generation. These, he said, had their jobs guaranteed.

“This, for us and for them, is peace of mind.”

He confirmed that the union had been involved in the talks with the Labour Party over the future of the employees.

Asked what would happen to those who worked at Marsa, Mr Zarb said they would be shifted to the Delimara plant. He also confirmed that the union had been given the party’s word that the privatisation of Enemalta was being ruled out.