Government 'unable' to help firms in distress

The General Workers' Union's general secretary, Tony Zarb, said yesterday the government's hands were now so tied up by EU rules and regulations it could not assist companies whose orders had dried up, even if it wanted to.

The government could not financially assist companies - such as VF, which last week laid off 240 workers - in order to help them find new markets and maintain their workforce.

Workers had not been told about this prior to the EU referendum, Mr Zarb said.

He said the union had asked for a meeting with the prime minister and the leader of the opposition to discuss recent job losses. However, it has had no word from the prime minister.

Speaking to reporters outside the VF factory at the San Gwann industrial estate, he said: "Everyone used to tell the VF workers they would not have any problems and that their work was guaranteed. When, last October, the VF employees were working on a four-day week and the GWU voiced its concern about this situation the union was accused of inciting workers.

"The workers were then told that the reduced working week was resorted to due to lack of orders as people were not wearing jeans because of the hot weather".

Mr Zarb said that he himself had worked at VF for 13 years at a time when the company used to employ 1,400 workers. VF has always done its best to keep its Malta operation going.

"The longer the government takes to become aware of recent lay offs... the bigger the problem will become," Mr Zarb said.

He added that the union would continue with its campaign to raise awareness about recurrent job losses that resulted in trauma for those laid off.

Those who gave the impression that there were no problems in the country were being irresponsible towards workers, their families and the country itself.

The union was doing its utmost to find alternative employment for workers who lost their jobs but the going was tough because of the current situation, Mr Zarb said.