Confusion at Enemalta seems to be clouding the recent 33% take-over of the corporation by Shanghai Electric Power – dubbed as a positive move by the government - after a number of workers are claiming that they are “anxiously sitting waiting for news on their future”.

Some workers also went as far as stating with this newsroom that the state of confusion is leading to some workers not having anything to do throughout the day, particularly due to the fact that there is no communication between Enemalta’s departments and management.

“We are sitting and waiting for news on our future each day that goes by; we have no idea where we could end up being transferred.

“Those workers who are close to a particular union or to the government have a secured place within the corporation but the future of other workers is not so rosy.

“This does not necessarily mean that we will lose our jobs but nobody knows what’s happening. Those whose future seems bleak bounce on the every bit of news which emerges to see if they would be affected in any way.”

Meanwhile, this newsroom was approached by a worker who claimed that eight workers, including him have been “booted out” of the BWSC plant.

This newsroom made its investigations and found that the workers are still being paid – for doing nothing though – until they are transferred elsewhere to position they are not so eager to fill.

He explained – on condition of anonymity – that a total eight BWSC (now Shanghai Electric) workers were not chosen to retain their posts due to their political allegiance, despite the fact that they knew the plant like the back of their hand.

He said that 200 workers from the Marsa power station, the old Delimara plant and the BWSC workers were interviewed in relation to posts at the BWSC plant. A call of applications had been issued internally. Some of the BWSC workers who were interviewed retained their post while others were not so fortunate.

The former worker told this newsroom that the interviews were conducted with the “aim of getting rid of us eight workers”.

While the workers of the Marsa power station were asked questions about the Marsa plant – which, in their opinion, is irrelevant since it is about to shut down – the ones of BWSC were asked questions tied to the plant they worked at.

He said that the workers who were not chosen – those who work at BWSC - replied to all questions asked during the interview in a correct manner since they have a vast knowledge of the plant’s operations. The Marsa plant workers who applied were all chosen even though they were no so knowledgeable about the BWSC plant.

Two workers, he said, were interviewed by phone - they happen to be on holiday in Thailand - and were asked to stay on.

This newsroom was in a position to verify whether these interviews did in fact take place, which they did. Sources explained that these eight workers were being paid until they are transferred elsewhere so in reality they still have a job, they just don’t know what it is for the time-being.

One source said that a person who was assigned to train students to eventually join the BWSC plant was not chosen while his students were. This, sources said, was definitely political.

TMID contacts manager of BWSC plant: Refuses to speak from the minute we ask him if he is the manager of the plant

This newsroom contacted the manager of the BWSC plant – Ing. Ismail D’Amato. When he answered the call, this newsroom asked him to verify if he is Mr D’Amato to which he replied: “I am Ismael yes, D’Amato.” When asked by this newsroom to confirm if he is the manager of the plant in question, he asked who it was is calling, to which we said The Malta Independent.

From then on, Mr D’Amato refused to speak to us and said that we should go through the proper channels, despite pressing him to say if it is the case eight BWSC workers were booted out.

“Go to the proper channels,” he insisted. This newsroom contacted Mr D’Amato because we were told his is very well informed on the situation of the eight BWSC workers. 

Redeployment interviews – finding the right answer a task

Enemalta workers have alleged that some interviewees answering a call for applications for redeployment are being “pushed” towards finding the right answer by the interviewer.

A meeting between Enemalta workers, the UHM and PN MP Marthese Portelli took place earlier this week, where the workers expressed their opinions on their situation.

 

Workers said that while some workers are being interviewed in a normal way, others are being asked follow-up questions such as “what else would you need to do”, until finding the right answer.