10 years ago The Times
Thursday, August 14, 2008
Next stop Castille, Zarb warns
A militant Tony Zarb yesterday warned the government that if it does not invite the General Workers’ Union to further talks on the situation at Malta Shipyards, it would find the union and all the workers behind the doors of Castille.
Addressing hundreds of shipyard workers in Paola, the union’s general secretary threatened further action over the future of the shipyards. He stressed that the union does not want to disrupt the yards’ privatisation process or the early retirement schemes being offered, but it could not agree to the schemes unless the government guarantees employment for those workers who wish to retain their jobs.
Earlier this month, the GWU called on the workers not to subscribe to the schemes if this demand is not met. The union on Tuesday also claimed that a clause in the international call for expressions of interest in the shipyards is illegal because it states that buyers will not be obliged to take on any of the current employees.
The union chief yesterday acknowledged the presence of, among others, Labour leader Joseph Muscat and his two predecessors, Alfred Sant and Karmenu Mifsud Bonnici. To loud applause, he said their presence meant a lot to the union and to the workers.
25 years ago - The Times
Saturday, August 14, 1993
De Marco warns against sterile time lag
Foreign Minister Guido de Marco yesterday warned against a sterile time lag between last month’s publication of the European Commission’s avis on Malta’s membership application and negotiations on membership.
“We want this period to be an active one and leading on to negotiations,” Prof. de Marco told Maltese diplomats in Valletta, adding that a “sterile period” would be both a mistake and damaging.
Prof. de Marco, who was closing the annual ambassadors’ meeting said that before the publication of the EC avis, Malta had been unable to see the light at the end of the tunnel.
Now we can see the end, he said, adding: “We are aware of the difficult road ahead which requires of us insistence, consistence and persistence.”
The government was committed to fulfilling its electoral mandate of negotiating for Malta’s membership of the EC.
In saying that Malta should appertain to the EC, he went on, it did not mean that Malta looked upon the EC exclusively or that Europe was contrary to another part of the Mediterranean region.
Half a century ago - Times of Malta
Wednesday, August 14, 1968
Archbishop’s meeting with Libyan Prime Minister
His Grace the Archbishop Mgr Michael Gonzi returned from Tripoli yesterday morning at the end of a four-day visit to Libya. His Grace, who investigated the possibility of sending Maltese nuns to look after children in Libyan institutes and schools, described his visit as “very interesting”.
During his Grace’s several activities in Libya, Mgr Gonzi had a meeting with the Libyan Premier, Abdul Hammish Bakkoush, and met a large number of Maltese working in Tripoli.
Mgr Gonzi had a 30-minute meeting with Mr Bakkoush at the Libyan Prime Minister’s residence at El Beida. The Archbishop flew to El Beida from Tripoli on a 90-minute flight in a special eight-seater jet aircraft.
Mgr Gonzi said his meeting with Mr Bakkoush was most cordial.
At El Beida, His Grace visited the Islamic University and met with authorities of the new city, including the mayor.
His Grace expressed his appreciation for the warm welcome accorded to him in Libya at all levels. During his visit, Mgr Gonzi was constantly accompanied by the Minister of Labour, Hamid Busruil.