Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1487299
4 maltatoday | SUNDAY • 4 DECEMBER 2022 NEWS Air Malta pilots presented with 'brutal' take it or leave it package CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 The new conditions remove the Maltese language as a re- quirement for recruitment, paving the way for the em- ployment of foreign pilots. The package also ditches the gen- erous early retirement scheme pilots have benefitted from over the years. Air Malta pilots keep receiv- ing two-thirds of their wage from the airline until they reach 65 if they retire at the age of 55, an expense that has cost the company millions. The current crop of pilots was offered "a last chance" to take the sum of money owed to them as per the existing early retirement scheme and leave the airline for good with no possibility of being employed with the government; or re- main employed with the airline with the new conditions. "The minister was adamant that moving forward there will be no early retirement schemes," the sources said, adding the meeting was "not a negotiation but an information session". Air Malta employs some 84 pilots and the 15% wage cut could see them receiving around €20,000 less per year. They will also be expected to increase their flying hours by 20% in line with the airline's plans to utilise its planes more. Industry sources said the package proposed by govern- ment is in line with industry standards for regional airlines that offer short haul flights. When contacted, the Finance Minister confirmed the meet- ing did take place but refused to confirm the details. "The reforms that have to be enacted are brutal and working conditions going forward are non-negotiable if we want to have a viable airline," Caruana told MaltaToday. Asked whether the details will be made public, he said the business plan will be published once the European Commis- sion gives its approval, which is expected early in the new year. Caruana reiterated govern- ment's commitment that Malta will continue to have a national airline. The package has not gone down well with pilots and in- dustry sources said opinion is split on the best way forward. "Some pilots want to adopt a militant approach and call the minister's bluff by going to court on the basis of the side agreement they obtained from then minister Konrad Mizzi," the sources said. When contacted, Alpa Presi- dent Patrick Calleja said he was not going to comment about "any meeting" for the time be- ing, adding he had to discuss matters with the union's coun- cil first. The side agreement was signed in January 2018 giving pilots a guarantee that govern- ment will guarantee pilots a job in Malta at the same take-home pay they are earning now. However, others appear to be adopting a more realistic approach, in view of the possi- bility that Brussels could even force the closure of Air Malta to be replaced by a new airline. The European Commission had done the same thing with Alitalia's restructuring when it forced the airline's closure as part of the reform process. "These pilots know that if Air Malta is shut down their situa- tion becomes more complicat- ed and they argue it is better to cash out now rather than risk a court case that could potential- ly invalidate the Konrad Mizzi side agreement sometime in the future and end up empty- handed," the sources said. Any court case would put to test the legality of the side agreement, which was secretly signed by Mizzi on the fringes of a collective agreement con- cluded with ALPA. The beleaguered company needs an urgent injection of capital but government must first seek approval from the Eu- ropean Commission since this is considered state aid. A num- ber of other reforms to make the airline leaner and more sustainable have already been implemented. The process to transfer em- ployees from other sections of the airline to the public sector, or pay them early retirement money, is expected to start shortly. Meanwhile, Air Malta has en- sured that more than 90% of seats were occupied over the summer months, an achieve- ment unseen in many years. ksansone@mediatoday.com.mt THE Nationalist Party wants Robert Abela to withdraw the Bill introducing an exception to Malta's anti-abortion laws, insisting he did not have a man- date to introduce abortion. "Robert Abela should stop trying to impose a law that introduces abortion, knowing that the majority of the Mal- tese and Gozitan people are against the introduction of abortion in our coun- try," the PN said on Saturday. It called on the Labour Party to stop its leader from forging ahead with the proposed amendment that is currently being debated in parliament. Government wants to protect doctors and women from criminal action if an abortion is necessary to safeguard a woman's health or life. The PN is opposed to the legal change and will be voting against the amend- ment in parliament. The party urged the public to make their voices heard against the "intro- duction of abortion". "PN MPs are united in a strong mes- sage against the introduction of abor- tion in our country and are actively and consistently participating in the discus- sion in Parliament," the party said. In Parliament PN leader Bernard Grech had said the amendment was introducing abortion through the back door. He even ridiculed American woman Andrea Prudente, whose case kick-started the abortion debate earlier this year, a move which was condemned by NGO Moviment Graffitti. ADPD also criticised Grech's attempt to ridicule Prudente and describing the Opposition leader's attitude as a sign of disrespect for women. ADPD Chairperson Carmel Cacopar- do said Grech's speech speaks volumes about his attitude towards woman. "It shows disrespect towards a woman who expected by right to be given the necessary and timely medical attention, the norm in civilised countries – which was denied to her. It reveals his general attitude towards women as an inferior gender that are not capable of taking their own decisions, even in serious matters that arise from medical prob- lems during their pregnancy," Cacopar- do said. Pro-life groups will be holding an an- ti-abortion demonstration in Valletta this afternoon. PN wants Abela to withdraw abortion Bill