Shipyard owners rack up €1.5 million in unpaid payments

Shipyard owners Palumbo have racked up over one and a half million in unpaid payments to service company Petronav Limited, the General Workers Union (GWU) said.

"In light of Palumbo not honouring its payments, Petronav Ltd is unable to pay its workers for their November wages," Paul Bugeja, the GWU's metal and construction section seretary said.

Bugeja said that Petronav, which currently employs around 30 workers in providing grit blasting and maintenance services at the Shipyard, has not been paid by Palumbo.

"Workers were supposed to receive their November wage back in December 3 but due to Palumbo's inability to honour its obligations, Petronav Limited are unable to issue the wages to their workers."

The GWU have since said that it kick-started discussions with Palumbo. The issue has also seen GWU secretary-general Tony Zarb put pressure on Palumbo to pay the amounts due to Petronav Limited.

"Following Petronav workers voicing their concern over their unpaid wages, the company owner has forked out the wages from his own pocket."

The GWU also said that during its operations in Malta for these recent years, Petronav Limited has invested substantially in new machinery and is committed to increasing employment opportunities for Maltese workers.