The Infrastructure, Investments and Information Technology Ministry yesterday condemned the General Workers’ Union for “trying to sow uncertainty and fear” among Enemalta’s Gas Division employees.

Referring to a statement issued on Tuesday by the union, the ministry said the government had already said that if an agreement were reached on the privatisation of the division, employees would be given the choice of keeping their jobs at Enemalta or starting to work with the private entity.

In spite of the government’s explicit statement, the GWU has gone on record demanding information on the government’s intentions for the employees, said the ministry.

In a bid to eliminate doubts that might have been caused by the GWU, said the ministry, corporation chairman Alex Tranter, on Minister Austin Gatt’s instructions, yesterday wrote to the Gas Division employees informing them that they would not be obliged to give up their jobs.

In a counter-reply, the GWU wondered why it was Dr Gatt who replied to the union when Enemalta had a management paid by the people to carry out its duties.

It said any agreement on conditions of work at Enemalta has to be discussed with the union. It was the chairman’s responsibility to call for a meeting with a union that represents the majority of the workers, the union said. It is therefore not acceptable that the minister attacks the union for having requested a meeting.

Neither is it acceptable that the corporation management sends a letter to the workers to tell them that if they are any problems, they should talk to the management. At the same time, once the management is asking the workers to approach it with their problems, it makes more sense that the union requests a formal meeting, the GWU said.