Vince Farrugia steps down as GRTU director general

Vince Farrugia has stepped down from his post as director-general of the GRTU, the Chamber of SMEs said in a statement.

"[He] intimated his desire to retire from the post of director-general of the GRTU," the GRTU said.

Contacted by MaltaToday, Farrugia said it was time for the GRTU to have "a new face" while, at age 69, he could "no longer take the pressure" with travelling between Malta and Brussels and handling the different responsibilities.

"I had already announced in January that I would be stepping down as director-general but we waited until the general election so we would have the system in place," Farrugia said, adding that he was very busy with his role as rapporteur in Brussels.

Farrugia also denied media reports that claimed he had been involved in a quarrel with GRTU president Paul Abela. "I swear, and even Paul can vouch for it, that the report is false. My resignation was already planned since January," he insisted.

In a brief statement, the GRTU said it will be appointing a new director general in due course while Farrugia will act as advisor to the executive council. Despite stepping down, he will continue representing Maltese employers in the European Economic & Social Committee of the European Union.

The GRTU thanked Farrugia for his 20 years of service to the business community in Malta and Gozo.