A second Air Malta retirement scheme can be considered – finance minister
A second Air Malta retirement scheme could be considered, Finance Minister Clyde Caruana said on Wednesday.
Caruana was answering a parliamentary question from PN Deputy Ivan Castillo, where he said that he cannot rule out the possibility of the government opening a second early retirement scheme for Air Malta workers.
Castillo said that the workers who chose to stay with the airline rather than go to public service felt aggrieved since the option of early retirement was only offered after they had made their decision whether to stay with the line air or not.
Caruana said that several studies requested by the European Commission are being carried out at the current stage of the airline’s restructuring. Discussions will then continue with the European Commission regarding the government’s request for the commission to authorize funds from the state for Air Malta.
He said he could not rule out another early retirement scheme, and that he was currently in discussions with pilot and cabin crew unions, as their existing early retirement schemes could not continue.
Caruana said that whoever decides to give up the right to an early retirement scheme will be offered compensation to leave the airline.
The government was offering €40,000 to those who had served up to five years in the airline; €80,000 to those who serve from five to 10 years; €120,000 for 10-15 years of service; €150,000 for 15-20 years of service; €180,000 for 20-25 years; €210,000 for 25-30; and €240,000 for those who served more than 30 years of service.