Company tells workers EU membership 'crucial'

The management of Stainless Steel Products Ltd yesterday convened its workers to spell out the benefits of EU membership to company employees.

During the meeting, which was held shortly after Prime Minister Eddie Fenech Adami paid a visit to the factory in Marsa, workers were informed that contrary to some claims, EU membership was actually crucial for the company.

The workers of SSP Ltd were among those urged by Labour leader Alfred Sant to consider their situation before deciding whether to vote over Malta's EU membership.

SSP Ltd executive director George Wells was, however, categorical about EU membership:

"Not only are we prepared for the challenges of EU membership, but we are anxiously looking forward to seizing the opportunities once all the markets open up."

Mr Wells explained that through membership, Malta had the opportunity to exploit various free trade agreements which the EU had signed with third countries and trading blocs.

The company today had to face several obstacles created by customs duties and other tariffs imposed on its clients. On the other hand, the company's competitors, the vast majority of whom were EU members, did not need to pay such duties, he said.

SSP Ltd exports some 100,000 stainless steel sinks annually - some 2,000 sinks daily - towards these countries, and this costs the company tens of thousands of liri a year in duties.

Set up 32 years ago, SSP is today one of Malta's most established manufacturing companies.

Employing over 130 workers, it produces stainless steel kitchen sink tops almost exclusively for export markets around the world.

The value of exports to different markets averages some Lm800,000 annually.

Dr Fenech Adami heaped praise on SSP Ltd, describing it as a success story, adding that the production rate per worker was deemed to be one of the best in its field.

The prime minister rebutted comments made by MLP deputy leader George Vella that an increase in workers' salaries would spell doom to the economy.

"Such a policy was evidently proven to be disastrous during the 1970s. Salaries should act as an incentive to increase productivity," he insisted.