The General Workers Union yesterday proposed setting up a task force to discuss the issues at stake before the recently announced privatisation process of the Malta Shipyards gets underway.

In a press conference, GWU secretary general Tony Zarb said that the union’s initial reaction following the government’s announcement was one of surprise. He pointed out that the union was not pleased with the way the announcement took place especially since the union had submitted its own proposal for the shipyard’s future.

“The least the government could have done was inform the union of its plans before making them public,” he said.

However, he pointed out that the union is aware of the challenges faced by the shipyards and “feels that the current national economic situation warrants full cooperation to safeguard the livelihood of the shipyard workers and their families.”

Mr Zarb explained that the task force should be made up of high level representatives of the government, opposition and GWU and should aim to discuss, and reach consensus, about the shipyard’s future in a short time span.

The task force should establish the targets for the shipyard’s immediate future and set time frames by when these have to be achieved.

It will also ensure the full disclosure of critical information on the shipyard’s current situation.

Yesterday morning, the union held a meeting with its members who work at the shipyard and explained carefully what it said in its initial reaction to the government’s announcement.

Mr Zarb said that the workers were extremely concerned about the situation as their future, and that of their families, was at stake. Furthermore, he added, the union was treading very carefully in its words and actions.

Referring to the EU Information and Consultation Directive, Mr Zarb said that the workers have the right to be informed about the situation.

He called for serious discussions which have to be held without any form of imposition on the employees.

Mr Zarb said that the union will publish its report and its reactions in the future; however, it will not do so as not to prejudice the task force.

Earlier yesterday morning, the government invited the GWU to discuss the privatisation process in a meeting to be held on 27 June.

In a letter sent by Finance, Economy and Investment Minister Tonio Fenech to Mr Zarb, the government said that it is committed to discussion the issue with all stakeholders in order to find the best solution for the workers and their families.

Mr Fenech requested the meeting to discuss the issue and pointed out that the country has had several experiences of privatisation and where there was cooperation, the results achieved were positive for Malta and for the workers concerned.

During the press conference, Mr Zarb said the union is concerned about the challenges ahead and spoke about the importance of everyone pulling on the same rope. “I strongly believe in dialogue – through it we can always find solutions.”

Also present at the press conference was European Metalworkers Foundation (EMF) company policy director Tony Murphy. Mr Murphy called on the government to meet and discuss the issue with all the stakeholders in an “open and frank manner”.

“Job security and a viable shipyard are among the main issues at stake and these are achievable through discussion,” he said.

Mr Murphy promised Mr Zarb the EMF’s full support and said that it will show its solidarity for the shipyard.