More lay-offs at Menrad

Malta's two main unions were informed on Thursday that the spectacle frames manufacturing firm Menrad was discharging 26 employees with immediate effect.

In two separate statements, the General Workers' Union and Union Haddiema Maghqudin said Menrad's decision was taken because of a drop in orders from its foreign customers.

Eight months ago, Menrad made another 27 employees redundant for the same reason.

The GWU said that Menrad had a manufacturing plant in China which was expanding at the expense of Malta's factory.

It said its manufacturing section had called for a meeting with the company's management to discuss job security.

The UHM said its manufacturing section was assured that the workers being laid off would receive all the gratuities and notice payments they were owed.

The section was also committed to finding alternative jobs for the workers.