Air Malta extends public sector transfer deadline as talks with GWU ongoing

Air Malta has extended the deadline given to employees to register their interest in being provided alternative government employment.

According to reports, the airline extended the deadline because “too few” workers had applied but government sources said this was because discussions with the General Workers Union are ongoing.

The scheme was announced by Finance Minister Clyde Caruana after the airline announced plans to shed half of its workforce.

Caruana said this wa necessary to save the airline, and Air Malta will be saving some €15 million a year. Air Malta and the government are currently in discussions with the European Commission over a request by the airline for state aid. Caruana said last week that the two sides are expected to “hammer out” the final figure that the government will be allowed to inject into the airline during meetings that are being held.

Air Malta employees had been told in a letter that they had until Friday 28 January to register their interest in alternative government employment. Times of Malta said on Monday that the deadline has now been extended to 11 February.

The airline plans to slash its workforce from 890 to 420.

According to reports, all Air Malta employee unions, bar the GWU, had accepted the proposal. The government has said that employees who move to other public sector employment will have their take-home pay safeguarded.