Updated | Air Malta rebuts union claims over delayed retirement schemes

Air Malta has rebutted "unfounded" allegations by the UHM that the airline was leaving its employees in the dark about their future.

The airline described these statement as irresponsible given the sensitive nature of its "rightsizing endeavors" - the reform and downsizing of the airline - whilst at the same time ensuring a seamless transition.

"Employees who have applied for the voluntarily or early retirement schemes are being released through a staggered and coordinated plan, depending on the individuals' role and Section. This process, which started last December is ongoing, and will continue until the end of this year. To date 240 employees have already been released," Air Malta CEO Peter Davies said.

Davies said the procedures adopted by the airline are aligned with the company's policy communicated to all employees and in line with the discussions and agreements reached with recognised unions.

"We are continuously informing staff through regular communications to ensure a fair, seamless and transparent transition," Davies said.

The Union Haddiema Maqghudin has flagged its formal objection to the implementation of ongoing reforms inside Air Malta, in a letter to chief officer Joshua Zammit.

The union said that in the past months, a number of workers who applied for the early retirement scheme from the national airline had not yet been given an official response.

The union said there were also other employees who had applied for alternative employment inside other public entities, who had not yet been informed of the selection process.

"This situation is creating uncertainty for those workers who are being hindered in planning their future in the search for alternative employment. We have complained with the Air Malta's management on the lengthy implementation of the retirement schemes, and the fact that current Air Malta employees are not being informed of the forthcoming changes that will be brought on by the reform," the union said in a statement.

The UHM said employees who applied for new internal posts had not yet been informed of their new salaries and conditions, even thought they had already started in their new posting.

"This union is informed that Air Malta workers who stay on have not been told when they will be benefit from a 3% increase in their salaries and the €4,500 they have been promised by the company, as part of the reform. We are insisting on a clear reply from the Air Malta management."