Air Malta - cuts in allowances I tend to agree with Government that costs, amongst other things, have to be reviewed at Air Malta (and elsewhere for all that matters) to put the national airline on its feet once again.
However, government’s impulsive action will surely not bring about the desired compromise with the workers concerned to improve the situation. The minister responsible needs to reconsider his approach on the issue of cuts, to be taken seriously by the workers representatives, and the public in general.
Though the minister to date has come out with quite a few saving strategies, he has been reluctant to make public the cost of the gratuitous travel MPs (their families and friends), the company’s directors and consultants (their families and friends), past and present, and other sponsorships are costing the airline. It is somewhat surprising that the minister has failed to take up this issue notwithstanding the fact, that he had been challenged time and again.
The same situation, more or less, prevails with other government entities. To state an example, while the minister is threatening to discharge over two-thirds of the employees of the national broadcasting station, or shut down the station, funds are available for overseas travel, free mobile phones to directors and senior staff, and for paying consultants and contributors handsomely, and for the farming out of programs.
If government truly means business, the sacrifices have to be exercised across the board and not by the scapegoats.
