The General Workers Union (GWU) held its second meeting for shipyard workers in Paola yesterday, calling on the government to keep its word regarding the privatisation of Malta Shipyards.

The meeting was attended, among others, by former Labour leaders Karmenu Mifsud Bonnici and Alfred Sant, and current Labour leader Joseph Muscat, whom GWU secretary general Tony Zarb (photo) thanked for their support in his closing speech.

Addressing the sizeable crowd in Paola’s Main Square, Mr Zarb said: “Either the government calls for us to discuss the situation, or we stage a demonstration outside Castille.

“The government is not going to frighten the GWU. Castille is yours, the roads are ours. The government is acting in an insensitive manner towards workers and their families.”

He said the GWU was not against the privatisation of Malta Shipyards or the voluntary and early retirement schemes, but, he added, it would have to be done in agreement with the union.

“We are optimistic that when we put more pressure on the government, it will understand our point. We will fight till the very end, because we know we are right in the eyes of God,” he insisted.

The union is waiting for the MLP to take the shipyard workers’ case to Parliament, to the Public Accounts Committee. The workers deserve to be given a guarantee to alternative employment, said Mr Zarb.

Speaking before the GWU secretary general, the union’s metal and construction section president Sammy Meilak spoke about the battle that the union was fighting against the government’s lies, deception and furtiveness.

The government is discriminating against Maltese workers, he said, adding that the government had political motives to break down the shipyards.

Mr Meilak said the government was obliged to keep its word, particularly since Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi had said, in writing, that the shipyards’ workforce would not be downsized.

He said the shipyard workers have a right to work and the union will help them fight for it, with force if need be, outside Auberge de Castille, the Office of the Prime Minister, in Valletta.

And GWU metal and construction section secretary Paul Bugeja encouraged workers to be strong and courageous in their fight for their rights.

“Our support is growing. The government is trying to shake the shipyards’ foundations to try and destroy this union. It is not true that Malta Shipyards has gone bankrupt.

“This week there has been talk about family values. How can the government say it is Catholic if it is denying work to so many fathers?” said Mr Bugeja.

Yesterday’s was the second meeting the GWU held for shipyard workers. The first was held outside the shipyards Ghajn Dwieli entrance in Cospicua, before the government gave details of the voluntary and early retirement schemes.

The meeting was attended by a number of Labour MPs, as well as representatives of Alternattiva Demokratika (AD), Moviment Graffitti and Zminijietna – Voice of the Left.

Moviment Graffitti held up a banner reading “Workers Unite and Fight”, while AD and Zminijietna expressed their support for the shipyard workers in two separate statements.

AD said ‘yard workers should be treated with respect, and not merely as numbers. Party spokesperson for social and economic development Michael Briguglio, who attended the demonstration, said it is ironic that while the government is speaking about the contribution of ageing workers to society, it is aiming to make away with them through the retirement schemes.

Mr Briguglio also pointed out that scientific, economic and sociological studies carried out before the privatisation process should show the true situation at the shipyards, including the actual number of workers required for the company to be viable.

He added that if these studies show that there is a surplus number of workers, they could be given productive jobs such as those related to the creation of alternative energy sources, or technical work with local councils, parastatal companies, or other government agencies.

In its statement, AD said all ‘yard workers should be given the opportunity to remain in employment. It said the party is not against retirement schemes, but emphasised that those who do not remain at Malta Shipyards should be given the opportunity to be engaged in other jobs.

Finally, AD urged the government and trade unions to work hand-in-hand to create proactive solutions for the benefit of workers and the country at large.

Similarly, Zminijietna also urged the government to ensure that ‘yard workers remain in employment and are treated with dignity.

The NGO said: “Zminijietna believes that the employment status of shipyard workers should only be decided once plans for the shipyards have been clearly established.”

The government should study creative and innovative solutions to ensure that no worker is left unemployed, said the NGO.