Censu Galea

“Whilst it is not the intention of government to detract from any of the benefits that port workers currently enjoy we want to make sure that our ports continue to become more efficient and if any work practices are obsolete these should be replaced.” This was said by Competitivness and Communications Minister Censu Galea when presenting certificates to 19 port workers who successfully completed a Logistics and Transport, Tug Driving and First Aid course purposely organised by specialised tutors, and which was held at the GWU Workers Memorial Building over the past months.

Minister Galea said that one of the key elements in enhancing our country’s competitiveness is through having a trained workforce which can positively encounter new challenges whilst improving efficiency through newly-gained knowledge and practices. ”Over the past number of years my Ministry has embarked on projects aimed at improving operations in our ports. We recognised the crucial role that port activities and services play in our economy, both as an internal activity as well as providing support to the local industry,” Mr Galea underlined.

As such whilst discussions on port reform are still in full force, by September or October, this Ministry will be in a position of concluding all its studies and forward its proposals to Cabinet.

The Minister said that with this objective in mind the Ministry embarked on a process aimed at strengthening both the regulatory and operational facets of port activity in Malta: “We promoted discussions between the social partners – setting up in the process the Ports Consultative Council; the Maritime Institute was reorganized; a Foundation for Transport Studies was set-up whilst we supported the efforts of the Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport (Malta). This support emanates from our belief that the success of any organisation depends on the skills, competencies and knowledge of its personnel.”

The first nineteen participants, all port workers, have succeeded in obtaining certification following end of course examinations. In total there are 372 port workers, and others will be enrolling in this course in the imminent future.

After presenting the certificates to the successful group of port workers the Minsiter said that “the importance of port workers development has long been recognized by those involved in the Pensions and Contingency Fund, who independently of these initiatives have embarked on this ambitious programme of development for Port Workers. The first tangible result of this thrust is the conclusion of a successful pilot programme based on the Certificate in Logistics and Transport awarded by the Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport.”

Amongst those present for this morning’s presentation were Dr Marc Bonello, Chairman Malta Maritime Authority; Mr Mark Portelli, Chairman Malta Freeport; Mr Charles Schembri, Director Ports and Mr Tony Zarb and Manuel Zammit, Secretary General and Maritime and Aviation Secretary of the General Workers Union respectively.