Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1096093
21 COMMERCIAL maltatoday | SUNDAY • 24 MARCH 2019 HSBC Bank Malta p.l.c. and the Malta Union of Bank Employees (MUBE) have an- nounced the signing of a five- year collective agreement covering the period 2019- 2023. Following rigorous but professional discussions over the past months, the agree- ment was recently ratified in the presence of representa- tives and staff members at the bank's branch in Ħamrun. The agreement builds on the existing commitment of the bank to be a leading employer and provides the foundations for a sustainable business for both employees and custom- ers. HSBC Bank Malta CEO An- drew Beane said he was proud of the bank colleagues who work to support the bank's customers and believes this is a fair agreement that further advances the best interests of all employees in this next phase. "As HSBC re-positions our strategic focus towards meas- ured growth, I am delighted that we have provided certain- ty on our employment terms so we can focus on running our business and being a great employer for our people," he said. "I would like to thank the Union and all colleagues for their professionalism during the course of all the negotia- tions." MUBE President William Portelli said that with a pen- sions plan now in place and with an efficient implementa- tion of flexible arrangements, the consolidation of the terms and conditions of a renewed five-year agreement should provide further stability to the workforce in general. "Whilst the agreement en- hances the financial and non- financial aspect for all employ- ees, MUBE will also continue to work with management on finding innovative ways of providing further flexibility in the working environment," he said. Collective agreement discus- sions with the GWU for the non-clerical employee catego- ries are in progress and a date for the signing of this agree- ment will be scheduled in the coming weeks. HSBC Malta is one of the largest employers on the is- lands with over 1,200 employ- ees. HSBC Malta and MUBE sign five-year collective agreement HSBC Malta and MUBE officials at the Hamrun branch ON Wednesday, the Port of Valletta wel- comed MSC Bellissima, the 16th ship to join MSC Cruises' global fleet. The ship, which entered into service on 27 Febru- ary, marks a key milestone in the compa- ny's strategy to further increase its global footprint, and is the first of two MSC Cruises ships which are set to come into service in 2019. In honour of the maiden call, a cer- emony was held on board the stunning 5,686-guest ship in the presence of Prime Minister Joseph Muscat, members of the cabinet, local authorities and dignitaries, as well as business and industry leaders. The ship's maiden call marks the start of a regular cruise schedule in the Mediter- ranean with weekly port calls in Valletta until November 2019, when the ship will move on to the Gulf for the 2019-2020 winter season. The maiden call also rep- resents a key milestone in the longstand- ing commitment of MSC Cruises to Malta and various local partners. In 2019 alone, MSC Cruises ships will make 64 calls and bring 306,000 cruise passengers to Valletta Cruise port. This visit presented a unique opportu- nity for Maltese and tourists to witness MSC Bellissima in all its beauty. The 315-metre ship is bringing to the sea some of the very latest innovation and technologies, and is designed to deliver a unique cruise experience, meeting the needs of guests today and for years to come. MSC Bellissima is the fourth of 17 ships which are set to come into service be- tween 2017 and 2027 under the compa- ny's new-builds plan. Over this time, the company will see its number of guests more than triple. MSC Bellissima boasts a wealth of fea- tures, including the purpose-built Carou- sel Lounge where two exclusive Cirque du Soleil at Sea shows, Syma and Varélia, will be performed. There is a further en- riched family offering and cutting-edge entertainment centre for all ages with elegant pools for daytime relaxation and night-time entertainment. There are 10 different types of cabins offering truly unprecedented comfort designed with the needs of families in mind. The vessel is the first MSC Cruises' ship to feature ZOE, the world's first virtual personal cruise assistant, which has been added to MSC for Me. The voice-enabled virtual personal assistant will be found in every cabin and can answer hundreds of questions about the cruise. At 171,598 GT, MSC Bellissima and her sister ship MSC Meraviglia, are the big- gest ships ever built by a European-based ship owner. Due to a unique design and uncommon dimensions, which makes her highly manoeuvrable, the ship will be able to dock at any key cruise port around the world, expanding the choice of itineraries and destinations available to guests. It is one of currently four MSC Cruises ships that fly the naval ensign of Malta. On its inaugural season, the ship will be calling in Genoa (Italy), Naples (Italy), Messina (Italy), Valletta (Malta), Barce- lona (Spain), and Marseille (France). As of November 2019, she will be reposi- tioning to the Gulf for the winter season. In spring 2020, she will be deployed in Asia. In October 2019, MSC Grandiosa, the first extended Meraviglia-Plus Class ship will enter into service. For more information and bookings, please contact Hamilton Travel Co. Ltd. of 4, St Publius Street, Floriana who are the exclusive General Sales Agents for MSC in the Maltese Islands. Please call on 21241292 or www.hamiltontravel. com.mt. MSC Bellissima makes maiden call at port of Valletta