Only a third of Air Malta temporary part-time ground services workers have had their contracts renewed indefinitely, while those of the remaining part-timers were renewed until January.

Some 20 loaders took to Republic Street, in Valletta yesterday to protest about working conditions and contract renewals. They were told to go see Tourism Minister Edward Zammit Lewis.

Sources said ground services workers were complaining about discrimination in light of the different conditions being imposed when renewing contracts.

Workers were also asking why only a third of the contracts were renewed indefinitely while the majority were extended only for the next four months.

Though most contracts were renewed until January, a number of loaders had been promoted to team leaders with indefinite contracts without the airline ever issuing a call for applications, the sources said.

It’s a challenge to guarantee job security to everyone who falls under this ministry

Air Malta confirmed, saying the new roles were assigned based on skills and aptitude. This was done to ensure continuity of airport operations, especially during the summer period, it added.

Speaking after the meeting with the ground services workers, Dr Zammit Lewis said that he could not guarantee that, as of January, the contracts would be renewed again.

“This is a cutthroat sector. It’s a challenge to guarantee job security to everyone who falls under this ministry. Come January, we will look at the situation again and tackle it then.”

By renewing contracts in this way, Air Malta would be avoiding losing contracts it had with other airlines, Dr Zammit Lewis said.

“The workers who came here did not lose anything because nobody was laid off. None of them became permanent workers but we found a way to try and guarantee jobs, at least for the coming months,” he said.

Dr Zammit Lewis said the government did not interfere with the management of Air Malta but, as a shareholder, tried to ensure any complaints by the airline’s employees were heard and addressed.