Żminijietna – Voice of the Left believes that the government must guarantee work to those Air Malta employees who do not voluntarily take the early retirement scheme for their own reasons. Several reports on labour studies show that a person whose age is over 45 years, finds it difficult to re-enter into the labour market. National statistics also show, that regarding new jobs, part-time employment is overriding full-time employment, and workers on a low pay and short-term contract are becoming a regular model of employment.

All these factors will make it difficult to the workers to find an alternative employment with decent conditions of work.

The government’s decision to reduce the workforce by approximately 500 workers is an indication that the blame is being put on the workers for Air Malta’s bankruptcy. Till today no action has been taken against all those who took the wrong decisions and put Air Malta finances at risk.

As a priority the government should address the issue of low-cost airlines, the negative impact generated by the privatisation of MIA and the outsourcing of contracts to private entities. Only after this procedure, the government and the unions will be in a good position to discuss the real problems facing Air Malta’s finances.

If the government wants to work in the national interest on this issue, it should stop threatening the workers with comments suggesting the liquidation of the company. But instead it should take note of what the unions are saying and address the points raised.

Żminijietna supports the unions’ call for a fair and transparent reform. We encourage all workers at Air Malta to unite and to understand that their means of livelihood is under threat.

David Pisani

Żminijietna