Gozo Business Chamber urges swift resolution to Gozo Channel disruption

The Gozo Business Chamber has expressed serious concern over the ongoing disruption at Gozo Channel, calling for an immediate resolution to the situation that has led to significant delays and service cancellations on the Gozo–Malta ferry route.

In a statement, the Chamber said that while it recognises the importance of safeguarding workers’ rights, the current state of affairs is having a “huge detriment on all Gozitans and all those using the services of the company.”

“The delays that we have been experiencing in the past days, are leading to queues, cancellation of services and severe delays,” the Chamber said.

“We tend to forget that for us Gozitans this is an essential service, a service upon which we depend to work, go abroad, study and use those services which are not offered in Gozo.”

The Chamber appealed for all parties concerned to “sit around the table and resolve immediately the present issues which are leading to this situation.”

The situation follows industrial action by Gozo Channel staff, including mooring men and cleaners, who are reportedly engaged through a subcontractor. These workers are said to be receiving substantially lower pay than their counterparts directly employed by Gozo Channel.

According to a parliamentary question answered by Gozo Minister Clint Camilleri in March 2024, Gozo Channel directly employs 182 people, while an additional 131 workers are employed indirectly through subcontractors, accounting for nearly half of the total workforce.

These subcontracted roles include Mooring Men, Security Officers, Seamen, Cafeteria Attendants, and Cleaners working on board vessels or within terminals.

Various reports confirm that the workers are following go-slow directives from their union, leading to extended queues at both Mġarr and Ċirkewwa terminals. The action has resulted in delays of over an hour in some cases, and commuters have reported taking up to two hours to complete the crossing.

The industrial action has also affected onboard services, with passengers reporting that toilets on the ferries remain closed as they are not being cleaned.

The disruption has sparked frustration among daily commuters who rely on the ferry to travel to work, as well as businesses dependent on timely deliveries and travel between the islands.

The Chamber’s call underscores the importance of Gozo Channel as a lifeline for the island’s economic and social activity, and stresses that prolonged disruptions could have serious repercussions for both individuals and enterprises operating in Gozo.

Featured Image: gozochannel.com