Shame on Air Malta
Regarding Air Malta’s recent press announcements, inviting applications for a possible temporary position as cabin crew, I was wondering if anyone could explain how they can cavalierly pass the costs associated with this undoubted privilege onto the applicants with apparent impunity.
For it is beyond my comprehension why anyone in full possession of their faculties would wish to inveigle themselves for what is essentially a chance to be registered as a possible (only) temporary member of Air Malta’s cabin crew pool for a very limited period (summer months only), to be used and abused as and when (if) required.
Notwithstanding the aforementioned, which would be the culmination of expectation for any “successful” applicant, the punitive and restrictive criteria relating to even being considered as a candidate are horrendous. Any applicant will incur excessive expenses throughout the application process, which I venture to suggest are over and above what they should be expected to pay, allied with the normal costs associated with an application for employment.
Besides incurring a fee of Lm10 to initially apply to join this Elysium (aka Air Malta), an applicant is required to pay for a medical examination (and any further investigations in this regard – whatever that means), accompanied by further payments for a compulsory course – required by Air Malta – to be undertaken should one reach the rarefied atmosphere of candidate status. These aberrant requirements by Air Malta are nothing short of a scurrilous scandal – which I daresay could be construed as extortion. All of this financial outlay by potential, temporary, stand-by employees of Air Malta… without any commitment or confirmation by Air Malta of any actual employment prospects during this period or indeed any actual, or any definitive statement of intent concerning any future recruitment possibility or probability. All of this has apparently been tacitly approved of the ETC, despite the fact that these unilateral criteria of Air Malta bear no semblance of comparison to other airlines in this regard.
It is apparent that Air Malta is attempting to provide cover for an essential part of its service without resorting to appropriate or accountable procedures to procure such. These criteria should be treated with disdain by any prospective applicants – those “Definitely Maybes” if successful – for it is not hard to conceive exactly why Air Malta is short on staff if this is an example of how the airline treats promising future members of staff. For by their obvious discernible aversion to treating people properly, Air Malta has amply demonstrated its duty of care, or lack thereof, to potential and present employees. This aspersion towards probity is further exacerbated by Air Malta when those (temporary) employees who reach the elysian fields of being upgraded to full-time status (eventually), are then subjected to the diabolical and unethical situation whereby they receive less pay than their colleagues for performing the exact same duties.
How this unscrupulous and perfidious scenario is allowed to persist only the hierarchy at Air Malta is privileged to divulge and I would withhold my labour to attempt appropriated remuneration in this instance (the UHM should advocate such action) as it is apparent that all the relevant avenues for reconciliation in this matter have been explored without any justifiable resolution.
Shame on you Air Malta, and I for one will be boycotting your services until your good office displays a scintilla of propriety towards the most valuable members of your organisation – the current, and future, staff.

Peter Murray
Mosta