GWU files industrial dispute with Carlo Gavazzi over handover plans

The General Workers’ Union (GWU) has declared an industrial dispute with Carlo Gavazzi Limited after the company revealed plans to bring foreign employees to Malta for a handover of operations, despite no agreement on redundancy packages for its Maltese workforce.

The union described the move as “insulting” and accused the company of acting in bad faith.

David Darmanin, Secretary of the GWU’s Technology, Electronics and Communications Section, said: “It is frankly insulting that our members, many of whom have given decades of loyal service, would be expected to train their own Mexican replacements before Carlo Gavazzi has guaranteed them a fair and dignified exit package.”

The GWU also accused management of obstructing its efforts to assist workers by denying access to the designated union notice board to share information on alternative employment opportunities and CV collection.

The union has reserved all its legal rights and warned it is prepared to issue directives for industrial action unless the handover plans are suspended and negotiations resume in good faith.

Carlo Gavazzi announced that it is withdrawing from Malta last week, bringing 37 years of operation on the island to a close and putting 140 jobs at risk.

In its official statement, the Carlo Gavazzi Group assured clients that its products will remain unaffected.

“Production of the products previously manufactured in Malta will be continued at other Group locations, in particular at the plants in Mexico and China,” it continued.