PN wants GWU lease probed

The Opposition has requested the Public Accounts Committee to probe claims that the General Workers’ Union breached a government contract by leasing parts of its premises to commercial entities.

The PN is claiming that such a lease violated the conditions of a 1997 parliamentary contract because the union did not have a majority shareholding in the companies involved.

Last week, PN justice spokesman Jason Azzopardi questioned the union’s decisions to lease part of its headquarters to government utilities billing company Arms Ltd.

Addressing a news conference outside the unions’ headquarters in Old Bakery Street, Valletta, Dr Azzopardi yesterday upped the ante and called on parliament to open a probe.

He said that the lease to Arms Ltd “stank” as “everything was indicating” that the 1997 contract had been breached.

The PN spokesman backed his claim by producing a copy of this deed and the reply of a parliamentary question in which Energy Minister Konrad Mizzi had said that the GWU was not a shareholder in Arms Ltd.

Asked to clarify the situation of two other commercial establishments which were operating from its premises, GWU general secretary Tony Zarb declined to comment, saying such issues were of a commercial nature.

Such an attitude was unbecoming for somebody who was supposedly representing workers’ interests

“Why don’t you ask Jason Azzopardi who made fun of himself when he came in front of the union headquarters [to address the press conference]?” he said.

Reacting yesterday, Dr Azzopardi said such an attitude was unbecoming for somebody who was “supposedly” representing workers’ interests.

PN spokesman Ryan Callus accused the government of “blatantly” violating contracts, through the Land Department.

He referred to the government’s decision to drop court proceedings against the Labour Party on violations of the lease agreement of the Australia Hall, and the €4.2 million Café Premier agreement through which taxpayers’ money was used to acquire this cafeteria.

Mr Callus also levelled criticism at the GWU, accusing it of remaining silent on various issues, including the fuel prices issue and complaints from Enemalta employees that their take-home pay was being eroded.