Précis of The Malta Times newspaper cuttings.
1. 05.03.78 French, Italians take over two parastatal firms.
Foreign interests have taken over Malta Decorative Glass, one of the firms set up with Chinese financial and technical aid, renaming it Craft Glass Limited.
Now three Italian industrialists have taken between them 80% financial interest, with Malta Development Corporation keeping the remainder of shareholding.
The Italians are expected to take over the running of the firm within three weeks.
They will branch out into new lines of glass products whilst maintaining their decorative glass production. 76 workers are presently employed but further increase in staff is expected as production increases.
Shareholders are Dott. Gianpiero Biagioni, a trade agent and marketing expert. Dott. Giovanni Gambacciani, a technical director of Technoglass, and Dott. Cesare Antonini, who runs a factory making glass-making equipment.
2. 30.09.78 Craft Glass Factory Employees’ “Sit-In”.
Yesterday 80 employers of Craft Glass Ltd (formerly Malta Decorative Glass) started an unofficial Sit-in strike at the factory as a result of the turning down of a request for financial assistance from the Malta Development Corporation made by the new Italian management. This sit-in was in support of the new directors who, until recently, were paying salaries and meeting running costs of the factory. Due to the Bank of Valetta refusing to liquidate more money there has been no fuel and other facilities needed to operate the business.
The Spokesman said that the new Italian owners had invested a sum of £M230.000 in machinery when they had taken over responsibility together with MDC in March of this year.
He added that the company had substantial orders both for export and local customers amounting to some £M185.000. “We are being held back by the need for more money to pay wages and run the factory.” Requests to reach a compromise with the director of MDC were unsuccessful.
Workers of CGL are members of The Petrol & Chemical Section of the General Workers Union.
Since the Italians took over the company production of decorative glass has fallen to 20% with the remaining 80% being chandelier globes for the export markets.
3. 27.11.78 Craft Glass Discharges.
The Craft Glass Ltd is encountering difficulties. Mr Angelo Bartelo, secretary of the Petrol & Chemical Section of the GWU addressed the workers saying that nine weeks ago management had asked for a 6 week period to get the firm back up and running. However he was told no funds were available and workers were going to be discharged.
It would seem that another industrialist was interested in running the firm but despite all efforts to avoid the discharges, after lengthy discussions there was no alternative but to dismiss 30 workers if the factory and other jobs were to be saved.
Discussions also covered who was footing the firm’s debts but negotiations were still in progress said Mr Bartolo. A decision was made to keep the furnaces running to avoid damage, until financial agreement was reached but all other work was to be suspended.
4. 23.01.80 Firm Closes Down.
Decorative Glass Ltd. restructured in 1978 by the Development Corporation has ceased operating, along with two other companies restructured at the time. The Corporation in its 1978 Annual Report makes reference to marketing difficulties met by the company. It said,
“ During 1978 the Corporation attracted foreign promoters with technical and marketing capabilities to enter into joint ventures with it and thus ensure better prospects in increasing employment and exports in companies encountering marketing and technical difficulties.”
The Decorative Glass Company was restructured with Italian financial interests but met new difficulties and closed in late 1978. In April last year (1979), the Trade and Industry Minister, Dr. Patrick Holland said efforts were still being made to re-open the factory, previously set up with Chinese financial assistance.
When MDG closed down, total investments amounted to £M556,211. When restructured as Craft Glass the Development Corporation took up shares in compensation for some of the assets in MDG, although Craft Glass was still in existence and efforts still being made to reopen the factory. As for the reasons leading to the closure, the PM said in Parliament, that at one time the owner had been swindled.
5. 16.05.80 Payments to Glass Factory Workers.
Former Employees of Craft Glass, which had taken over the manufacturing unit from Decorative Glass, (one of the factories set up with Chinese Government assistance), have now been paid outstanding amounts due to them in wages and bonuses, including National Insurance and PAYE contributions, according to the GWU. Also alternative employment had also been found for many of the workers.
The workers case for these payments was taken up by the GWU negotiating with the Development Corporation & Investment Finance Bank. Taking part in these negotiations on behalf of the Union were Dr. Carmelo Misfud Bonnici, its Legal Adviser, and Mr Angelo Bartolo.
The Union said it was through Mr. R. Calleja’s efforts, as chairman of the investment Finance Bank that the workers' problems were solved to the satisfaction of all 70 workers.
Topic: Craft Glass Ltd - after Malta Decorative Glass (Read 6344 times)
