Labour welcome Maltese-language requisite for Air Malta cabin crew

The Labour party noted its satisfaction at the signing of the agreement between Air Malta and the union of cabin crew, which also means proficiency in the Maltese language will still be a requisite for new recruits.

"It was only last December that the obligation for cabin crew to be Maltese-speaking was removed, before this was criticised by the Opposition leader and then reviewed by Air Malta," Labour MP Gavin Gulia said.

"We're committed to defend jobs for Maltese and Gozitans, and believe they are no fools," Gulia said.

Air Malta yesterday signed a restructuring agreement with the Union of Cabin Crew (UCC) to support the airline's restructuring.

The agreement, which includes improvements to rostering to increase crew utilisation, reduced staffing numbers, changes to the duties of cabin crew and voluntarily redundancy and early retirement schemes is the third agreement that Air Malta reached with the unions representing its employees and is another milestone in the process of restructuring of the airline.

Earlier last month similar agreements were signed with the Association of Airline Engineers and the General Workers Union.

The airline said the agreements are instrumental to the restructuring process and focus on new or improved work practices, revised duties and responsibilities, roster and shift changes, increased efficiencies and a reduction of staff amongst other initiatives.