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22 August, 1999Striking port and airport workers have been violently attacked by the police and armed forces, with many arrests carried out.
MALTA: On Friday, August 20, as striking members of the General Workers' Union (GWU) picketed at both Malta's port and airport, the police and armed forces brutally charged on them, injuring some, and making a large number of arrests. It is clear the government is attempting in this heavy-handed manner to break the strike, but the union was quoted as saying that "the strike is still firm."
This violence against the trade union's legitimate actions has shocked everyone and caused great concern for the threat this poses to democracy and trade union rights in this island nation.
The GWU, which is affiliated to the International Metalworkers' Federation, is the largest trade union in Malta, representing more than 66% of the total unionised workforce in the country.
The union's demands for the port workers are over the government's refusal to implement a voluntary redundancy agreement. Airport workers are striking over demands for a ballot to settle a recognition dispute. Government-controlled companies run both the airport and port.
In fully supporting the GWU, the IMF is asking its affiliated members to send letters of protest to:
Dr. Edward Fenech Adami
Prime Minister
Auberge de Castille
Valletta, Malta
Fax: (356) 252752
and letters of support to:
Mr. Tony Zarb
Secretary General
General Workers' Union
Workers' Memorial Building
South Street
Valletta, Malta
Fax: (356) 234911 or 234029.
This violence against the trade union's legitimate actions has shocked everyone and caused great concern for the threat this poses to democracy and trade union rights in this island nation.
The GWU, which is affiliated to the International Metalworkers' Federation, is the largest trade union in Malta, representing more than 66% of the total unionised workforce in the country.
The union's demands for the port workers are over the government's refusal to implement a voluntary redundancy agreement. Airport workers are striking over demands for a ballot to settle a recognition dispute. Government-controlled companies run both the airport and port.
In fully supporting the GWU, the IMF is asking its affiliated members to send letters of protest to:
Dr. Edward Fenech Adami
Prime Minister
Auberge de Castille
Valletta, Malta
Fax: (356) 252752
and letters of support to:
Mr. Tony Zarb
Secretary General
General Workers' Union
Workers' Memorial Building
South Street
Valletta, Malta
Fax: (356) 234911 or 234029.