Updated | UHM asks PM to investigate ‘abusive behaviour’ by ME chairman

Updated at 4:57pm with statement from Malta Enterprise

The Union Haddiema Maqghudin has said the chairman of the public investment promotion company Malta Enterprise, Alan Camilleri, had been hindering attempts by non-unionised employees to join the UHM and to instead form their own house union.

“We’re concerned about the negative attitude at ME… non-unionised employees who chose to join the UHM are being continuously hindered, so much so that it was suggested by Alan Camilleri that they form a house union,” the UHM said in a statement.

Camilleri is the former spokesperson of Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi.

The UHM said Camilleri had informed the union it had been refused recognition at Malta Enterprise by its board of directors. “We unreservedly condemn his actions, and his subtle threats towards employees that are a breach of the country’s laws.”

The UHM said it wanted the Prime Minister to investigate Camilleri’s “irregular and abusive” behaviour.

In a statement, ME denied the allegations by UHM secretary-general Gejtu Vella, claiming he was seeking capital from the integration of Malta Enterprise and Malta Industrial Parks “for reasons only he knows”.

ME denied claims that Alan Camilleri had “either intimidate” workers or intervened in unionisation attempts.

ME said it already had a recognised union and a collective agreement. “Both ME and MIP are in the process of integrating and any request for recognition must be executed according to the law, and not according to a particular union,” the corporation said in a statement.

ME said both the UHM and the General Workers Union had made representations on behalf of non-unionised employees, and that the matter had been referred to the director of industrial relations. “Our policy on the unionisation of managers is unchanged since 2004 and was accepted by the GWU, which is recognised by the corporation at executive level.”

Last year Camilleri created outrage with his ‘excellent grooming’ memo, where he demanded trimmed moustaches, no dangling earrings, light make-up, regular showers, fresh breath, and a maximum of ‘one bracelet’ per wrist from workers. Camilleri, who runs Malta Enterpise and MIP on a €70,000 salary, had warned employees to clean their teeth regularly, “especially after lunch. Odorous breath needs to be well controlled.”

SEE his full list of demands.