- Observatory: EurWORK
- Topic:
- Published on: 26 januar 2014
About
Although the Maltese government has, in recent years, incentivised the use of renewable energy sources for the production of electricity, uptake remains well below the established projections. Malta thus depends heavily on heavy fuel oil for the production of electricity. The small size of the country makes the local electricity sector an unattractive one for private investors, resulting in the sector being monopolised by Enemalta, a government-run corporation. Collective bargaining is conducted at company level between Enemalta and three of the four trade unions representing the employees in the sector. Increases in electricity tariffs have provided a background for industrial relations in the sector.
Sectoral properties
Economic background
Government-owned Enemalta (established by the Enemalta Act 1977 Chapter 272 of the Laws of Malta) has, since 1977, been the sole producer, transmitter and distributor of electricity in Malta. Enemalta also has comprises a petroleum division. Its gas division was privatised in 2008. Although the electricity sector provides for less than 1% of the total economy, Enemalta remains one of Malta’s largest employers.
At the time of writing Malta is on the verge of a general election, and the electricity sector has been a main feature of a heavily-contested electoral campaign. While all political parties have pledged their commitment to strive towards more affordable energy tariffs, parties have proposed various ways of achieving this. However, as Malta considers various energy options (gas, renewable sources, a submarine pipeline which connects Malta to Sicily and the European grid), the sustainability and security of workers’ jobs have been put into question, with workers’ representatives acknowledging that both their role and the way they work within the sector may change within the near future.
Sectoral coverage
This representativeness study covers companies and employees in the electricity sector, as defined by NACE Rev. 2 code 35.1:
35.1 Electric power generation, transmission and distribution
35.11 Production of electricity
35.12 Transmission of electricity
35.13 Distribution of electricity
35.14 Trade of electricity
1.2 Development of sectoral employment and companies
|
2001 |
2010 |
|
|---|---|---|
| Number of companies in the sector (including one-person companies and self-employed) |
1 |
1 |
| Comment |
The Government-owned company, Enemalta, has since 1977 been the sole generator and provider of electricity in Malta. |
The Government-owned company, Enemalta, has since 1977 been the sole generator and provider of electricity in Malta. |
|
Source of company data |
NSO |
NSO |
|
Aggregate employment |
Enemalta had 1,956 workers, 1,376 directly working within the electricity sector. Other workers, namely the 312 workers working within Enemalta’s head office, work in both the electricity and petroleum sectors. |
Enemalta had 1613 workers, 1,102 directly working within the electricity sector (these work within Enemalta’s two power stations, its development division and distribution division). Other workers, namely the 334 workers working within Enemalta’s head office, work in both the electricity and petroleum sectors. |
|
Male employment |
Data unavailable |
Data for 2010 is unavailable. In 2007 male employment stood at 92.14% of workers in all Enemalta |
|
Female employment |
Data unavailable |
Data for 2010 is unavailable. In 2007 female employment stood at 7.86% (n=121) of workers in all Enemalta |
|
Share of sectoral employment as a % of total employment in the economy |
1% (this figure includes Enemalta workers working directly within the electricity sector, excluding those workers within Enemalta’s head office) |
0.75% (this figure includes Enemalta workers working directly within the electricity sector, excluding those workers within Enemalta’s head office) |
|
Source of employment figures |
Enemalta Corporation Annual Report 2002 and Financial Statements 2001 http://www.enemalta.com.mt/enemaltastorage/images/files/annual%20reports/annual%20report%202002%20and%20financial%20statements%202001.pdf |
Enemalta Corporation Annual Report and Financial Statements 2010 http://www.enemalta.com.mt/enemaltastorage/images/files/annual%20reports/enemalta%20financial%20statements%202010.pdf Enemalta Dossier 2008 http://www.doi-archived.gov.mt/EN/press_releases/2009/09/pr1579b.pdf National Statistics Office: Gainfully Occupied Population 20022011: Quarterly Figures in NACE Rev. 2 http://www.nso.gov.mt/statdoc/document_file.aspx?id=3365 |
| Comment |
Total gainfully occupied population is taken to mean total population in full-time employment, i.e. 137,496 |
Total gainfully occupied population is taken to mean total population in full-time employment, i.e. 146,296 |
|
Aggregate employees |
Enemalta had 1,956 workers, 1,376 directly working within the electricity sector. Other workers, namely the 312 workers working within Enemalta’s head office, work in both the electricity and petroleum sectors. |
Enemalta had 1,613 workers, 1,102 directly working within the electricity sector (these work within Enemalta’s two power stations, its development division and distribution division). Other workers, namely the 334 workers working within Enemalta’s head office, work in both the electricity and petroleum sectors. |
| Male employees |
Data unavailable |
Data for 2010 is unavailable. In 2007 male employment stood at 92.14% of workers in all Enemalta |
| Female employees |
Data unavailable |
Data for 2010 is unavailable. In 2007 female employment stood at 7.86% (n=121) of workers in all Enemalta |
| Share of sectoral employees as a % of total employees in the economy |
1% (this figure includes Enemalta workers working directly within the electricity sector, excluding those workers within Enemalta’s head office) |
0.75% (this figure includes Enemalta workers working directly within the electricity sector, excluding those workers within Enemalta’s head office) |
| Source of employee figures |
Enemalta Corporation Annual Report 2002 and Financial Statements 2001 http://www.enemalta.com.mt/enemaltastorage/images/files/annual%20reports/annual%20report%202002%20and%20financial%20statements%202001.pdf NSO’s Labour Supply Distribution 2001 http://www.nso.gov.mt/statdoc/document_file.aspx?id=741 |
Enemalta Corporation Annual Report and Financial Statements 2010 http://www.enemalta.com.mt/enemaltastorage/images/files/annual%20reports/enemalta%20financial%20statements%202010.pdf Enemalta Corporation Dossier 2008 http://www.doi-archived.gov.mt/EN/press_releases/2009/09/pr1579b.pdf National Statistics Office’s Gainfully Occupied Population 2002–2011: Quarterly Figures in NACE Rev. 2 http://www.nso.gov.mt/statdoc/document_file.aspx?id=3365 |
| Comment |
Total gainfully occupied population is taken to mean total population in full-time employment, i.e. 137,496 |
Total gainfully occupied population is taken to mean total population in full-time employment, i.e. 146,296 |
2. Overview of the industrial relations landscape in the sector
Workers within the electricity sector are represented by one of four workers’ unions. While two of these unions, the General Workers’ Union (GWU) and Union of United Workers (UHM), are general unions, the Enemalta Professional Officers’ Union (EPOU) and Enemalta Senior Staff Union (ESSU) are in-house unions which represent specific grades within Enemalta. The EPOU represents professional employees, mainly engineers, who formed the union when they felt that their interests were not being adequately represented by the GWU. The ESSU represents managers and assistant managers, all of whom have an individual contract with Enemalta. It was established to redress the grievances of this group and to adjust any anomalies which may arise in salaries as a result of the collective agreements of the other employees. This definition of remits has resulted in GWU and UHM representing Enemalta’s clerical and technical staff.
Collective bargaining in Malta is conducted at company level. However, collective bargaining involving state-owned companies such as Enemalta is conducted under the scrutiny of the state through the Public Administration Collective Bargaining Unit (PACBU) within the Ministry of Finance. The prime function of PACBU is to ensure that the financial side of collective agreements are in line with the government wage policy. The GWU and EPOU have signed separate collective agreements with Enemalta Corporation, covering about 1,200 and 120 workers respectively (both these figures include workers within the Petroleum industry).
While senior staff continue to be employed on an individual contract basis, the ESSU has negotiated minimum conditions for managerial personnel, who then negotiate their contracts with Enemalta on an individual basis. This level of individual bargaining is considered a means through which people can ensure that they receive a salary commensurate with their responsibilities, dictated by the size and responsibility of the department that they manage. Since the UHM represents a small number of workers at Enemalta, it can discuss matters on an individual basis but cannot discuss terms or conditions, which can affect employees as a whole.
3. The sector’s trade unions and employer associations
This report includes detailed information on the following trade unions and employer associations:
(i) trade unions (or employees’ interest organisations) and employer organisations (or business associations) which are affiliated to the sector-related European Union Federation(s) or the sector-related European Employer/Business Federation(s) and represent members in the sector.
The sector-related European employee organisations are:
- IndustriAll Europa;
- European Federation of Public Service Unions (EPSU).
The sector-related European employer organisations are:
- The union of the electricity industry (EURELECTRIC).
(ii) trade unions and employer organisations which are party to sector-related collective bargaining and represent members in the sector.
This report does not include detailed information on the following organisations, because they fall outside the remit of the study:
iii) Affiliates to EU-level sectoral social partners, but without members in the sector. These are the affiliates of EPSU and IndustriAll Europa that have members in other sectors but not in the electricity sector. Use these weblinks for a full list of the IndustriAll affiliates and EPSU affiliates.
iv) Organisations which are involved in sector-related collective bargaining, but do not represent members in the sector.
v) Organisations which represent members in the sector, but are not involved in sector-related collective bargaining, and are not members of EU-level sectoral social-partner organisations.
3a. Please list all the organisations which can be related to the study in the following overview table
|
Organisation abbreviation |
Sector related (members in the sector) |
Member of a sector-related European organisation |
Involved in sector-related CB |
Fact sheet included |
Source of Information |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GWU |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Jason Deguara, National Secretary for the Chemical And Energy Section, email exchange between 24 February and 4 March 2013; GWU website www.gwu.org.mt; Enemalta Corporation Dossier 2008 http://www.doi-archived.gov.mt/EN/press_releases/2009/09/pr1579b.pdf |
| EPOU |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Patrick Gauci, secretary, email exchange between 24 February and 6 March 2013; telephone conversation on the 6 March; EPOU website http://epoumalta.wordpress.com/; Enemalta Corporation Dossier 2008 http://www.doi-archived.gov.mt/EN/press_releases/2009/09/pr1579b.pdf |
| ESSU |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Raymond Azzopardi, secretary, email exchange between 24 and 25 February 2013 and telephone conversation on the 6 March 2013 |
| UHM |
Yes |
No |
No |
No |
UHM website www.uhm.org.mt; Enemalta Corporation Dossier 2008 http://www.doi-archived.gov.mt/EN/press_releases/2009/09/pr1579b.pdf |
| ENEMALTA |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Ms Sammut, director EU Affairs |
Annex 1 at the end of this questionnaire provides the list of all the organisations which are members of the sector-related European organisations, broken down by country.
4. Collective bargaining in the electricity sector
4.1. Are employees in the sector as defined in Section 1 above and in Table 1 covered by collective bargaining?
Yes
4.2. If yes, please consider the five main relevant* collective agreements (single-employer and multi-employer agreements) valid in 2012 in the electricity sector and indicate their levels, the name of the agreements, respective coverage in terms of sectors/activities, the bargaining parties to the agreement and the numbers of employees covered within the electricity sector (also estimate):
|
Level |
Common name |
Sectoral coverage |
No. of employees covered within the electricity sector |
Bargaining parties |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Employer(s) (in case of single-employer agreements) or Employer organisation(s) (in case of multi-employer agreements) |
Trade union(s) |
||||
| Single-employer agreement: Company |
Enemalta |
The collective agreement covers workers within Enemalta, and thus covers workers who work in the electricity and petroleum industries (overlapping) |
1,200 (including Enemalta’s petroleum division) |
Enemalta |
General Workers’ Union, GWU |
|
Single-employer agreement: Company |
Enemalta |
The collective agreement covers workers within Enemalta, and thus covers workers who work in the electricity and petroleum industries (overlapping) |
120 (including Enemalta’s petroleum division) |
Enemalta |
Enemalta Professional Officers’ Union, EPOU |
* Relevance is measured in terms of employees covered.
5. The system of collective bargaining
Collective agreements are defined in line with national labour law regardless of whether they are negotiated under a peace obligation.
5.1. Estimate the sector’s rate of collective bargaining coverage (i.e. the ratio of the number of employees covered by any kind of collective agreement to the total number of employees in the sector).
99%
5.2. Estimate the relative importance of multi-employer agreements and of single-employer agreements as a percentage of the total number of employees covered.
There are no multi-employer agreements in the sector.
5.2.1. Is there a practice of extending multi-employer agreements to employers who are not affiliated to the signatory employer association/s?
Not applicable
5.2.2. If there is a practice of extending collective agreements targeting employers, is this practice pervasive or rather limited and exceptional?
Not applicable
6. Formulation and implementation of sector-specific public policies
6.1. Do tripartite bodies dealing with sector-specific issues exist? If yes, please indicate their domain of activity (for instance, health and safety, equal opportunities, labour market, social security and pensions etc.), their origin (agreement/statutory) and the interest organisations having representatives in them:
|
Name of the body and scope of activity |
Bipartite/tripartite |
Origin: agreement/statutory |
Trade unions having representatives (reps) |
Employer associations having reps |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Public Administration Collective Bargaining Unit (PACBU) within the Ministry of Finance. Each of the parastatal corporations or enterprises receives ad hoc instructions from the PACBU, which serve as guidelines to be followed during the collective bargaining process. The PACBU’s primary aim is to ensure that the financial side of collective agreements carried out by parastatal entities reflects the government wage policy. |
tripartite |
statutory |
* Sector-specific policies specifically target and affect the sector under consideration.
7. Data on the trade unions
|
GWU |
|
|---|---|
|
General Workers’ Union |
|
|
General Workers’ Union |
|
|
The union’s domain |
|
|
According to its domain, does the union potentially cover the entire electricity sector, including all of the sub-activities as a whole, as listed above? |
Yes |
|
According to its domain, does the union potentially cover all occupations within the electricity sector among both blue-collar workers and white-collar workers? |
Yes |
|
According to its domain, does the union potentially cover, within the electricity sector, all forms and size classes of enterprises (for instance: public ownership, private ownership, multinationals, domestic companies, SMEs, etc. – of course, only insofar as they exist in the sector)? |
Yes |
|
According to its domain, does the union potentially cover all regions of your country? |
Yes |
|
According to its domain, does the union potentially cover employees outside the electricity sector? |
Yes. The GWU is a general union, whose membership is open to all categories of workers, from within all employment sectors. The GWU has eight sections, each of which caters for specific employment sectors. Employees working in the electricity sector as outlined by NACE are represented in the Chemical and Energy Section within the union. |
|
General information on the union |
|
|
Is the union engaged in sector-related collective bargaining? |
Yes |
|
If yes, what form of collective bargaining? |
Single-employer bargaining at company level |
|
How many employees are covered by the collective agreement/s signed by the union within the electricity sector (including those covered via extension mechanisms)? |
About 1,200 |
|
Please indicate the type of membership |
Voluntary |
|
Is the union being consulted by the authorities in sector-related matters? |
Yes. The GWU is consulted by the Enemalta management |
|
How often do sector-related consultations involve the union? |
On a regular basis |
|
Members |
|
|
How many active members in employment does the union have in total (i.e. within the electricity sector and beyond)? |
44,971 (7,483 of these are retirees) |
|
How many active members in employment does the union have within the electricity sector only? |
900 (all of these are in employment) (2013) |
|
Does the union have members in the largest electricity companies? |
Yes (there is only one company in Malta) |
|
Affiliations |
|
|
To which international organisations is the union affiliated? |
Public Services International (PSI), International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC), International Labour Organisation (ILO), International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF), International Union of Food, Agriculture, Hotel, Restaurant, Catering, Tobacco and Allied Workers’ Association (IUF), International Federation of Building and Wood Workers (IFBWW), International Metalworkers’ Federation (IMF), International Federation of Chemical, Energy, Mining and General Workers’ Union (ICEM), International Textiles, Garment and Leather Workers’ Federation (ITGLWF), Union Network International (UNI), International Federation of Musicians (IFM) and the International Federation of Workers’ Education (IFWEA). |
|
To which European-level organisations is the union affiliated? |
European Federation of Public Service Unions (EPSU), European Trade Union Confederation (ETUC), European Union Network (UNI Europa), European Workers’ Education Association (EURO WEA), Federation of Europe Retired Personal Association (FERPA), Council of European Professional and Managerial Staff (Eurocadres), European Transport Federation (ETF), European Federation of Building and Wood Workers (EFBWW), Metalworkers Federation (EMF), European Federation of Trade Unions in the Food, Agriculture and Tourism sectors and Allied Branches (EFFAT). |
|
To which national-level organisations is the union affiliated? |
n/a |
|
Source of information |
Trade union: Jason Deguara, National Secretary for the Chemical And Energy Section, email exchange between the 24 February and 4 March 2013 Website/other secondary sources: www.gwu.org.mt Report by the Registrar of Trade Unions 2011-2012 EIRO national correspondent: Jeannine Vassallo |
|
EPOU |
|
|---|---|
|
Enemalta Professional Officers’ Union |
|
|
Enemalta Professional Officers’ Union |
|
|
The union’s domain |
|
|
According to its domain, does the union potentially cover the entire electricity sector, including all of the sub-activities as a whole, as listed above? |
Yes |
|
According to its domain, does the union potentially cover all occupations within the electricity sector among both blue-collar workers and white-collar workers? |
No. The union covers professional ranks within Enemalta (mainly engineers) i.e. the equivalent of Government salary scales 9-4a |
|
According to its domain, does the union potentially cover, within the electricity sector, all forms and size classes of enterprises (for instance: public ownership, private ownership, multinationals, domestic companies, SMEs, etc. – of course, only insofar as they exist in the sector)? |
The EPOU is an in-house union, limited to Enemalta. However, Enemalta is the only company within this sector. |
|
According to its domain, does the union potentially cover all regions of your country? |
Yes |
|
According to its domain, does the union potentially cover employees outside the electricity sector? |
No |
|
General information on the union |
|
|
Is the union engaged in sector-related collective bargaining? |
Yes |
|
If yes, what form of collective bargaining? |
Single-employer bargaining at company level |
|
How many employees are covered by the collective agreement/s signed by the union within the electricity sector (including those covered via extension mechanisms)? |
About 120 |
|
Please indicate the type of membership |
Voluntary |
|
Is the union being consulted by the authorities in sector-related matters? |
Yes. The Climate Change Sub-Committee within Malta-EU Steering Action Committee (MEUSAC) regularly consults with the EPOU. |
|
How often do sector-related consultations involve the union? |
On a regular basis |
|
Members |
|
|
How many active members in employment does the union have in total (i.e. within the electricity sector and beyond)? |
110 |
|
How many active members in employment does the union have within the electricity sector only? |
107 (2013) |
|
Does the union have members in the largest electricity companies? |
Yes (there is only one company in Malta) |
|
Affiliations |
|
|
To which international organisations is the union affiliated? |
None |
|
To which European-level organisations is the union affiliated? |
None |
|
To which national-level organisations is the union affiliated? |
Forum Unions Maltin (ForUM) |
|
Source of information |
Trade union: Eng. Patrick Gauci, secretary, email exchange between the 24 February and 6 March 2013; telephone conversation on the 6 March; EPOU website http://epoumalta.wordpress.com/; Website/other secondary sources: Report by the Registrar of Trade Unions 2011-2012 EIRO national correspondent: Jeannine Vassallo |
|
ESSU |
|
|---|---|
|
Enemalta Senior Staff Union |
|
|
Enemalta Senior Staff Union |
|
|
The union’s domain |
|
|
According to its domain, does the union potentially cover the entire electricity sector, including all of the sub-activities as a whole, as listed above? |
Yes |
|
According to its domain, does the union potentially cover all occupations within the electricity sector among both blue-collar workers and white-collar workers? |
No: the ESSU covers senior managerial staff, i.e. those falling within government salary scales 4 and 3 |
|
According to its domain, does the union potentially cover, within the electricity sector, all forms and size classes of enterprises (for instance: public ownership, private ownership, multinationals, domestic companies, SMEs, etc. – of course, only insofar as they exist in the sector)? |
The ESSU is an in-house union, limited to Enemalta. However, Enemalta is the only company within this sector. |
|
According to its domain, does the union potentially cover all regions of your country? |
Yes |
|
According to its domain, does the union potentially cover employees outside the electricity sector? |
No |
|
General information on the union |
|
|
Is the union engaged in sector-related collective bargaining? |
Yes |
|
If yes, what form of collective bargaining? |
Single-employer bargaining at company level |
|
How many employees are covered by the collective agreement/s signed by the union within the electricity sector (including those covered via extension mechanisms)? |
The ESSU did not sign any collective agreement, but negotiated on behalf of about 40 persons. |
|
Please indicate the type of membership |
Voluntary |
|
Is the union being consulted by the authorities in sector-related matters? |
No, though the ESSU is consulted by NGOs and National Commissions |
|
How often do sector-related consultations involve the union? |
On an ad-hoc basis |
|
Members |
|
|
How many active members in employment does the union have in total (i.e. within the electricity sector and beyond)? |
37 |
|
How many active members in employment does the union have within the electricity sector only? |
37 (2013) |
|
Does the union have members in the largest electricity companies? |
Yes (there is only one company in Malta) |
|
Affiliations |
|
|
To which international organisations is the union affiliated? |
None |
|
To which European-level organisations is the union affiliated? |
None |
|
To which national-level organisations is the union affiliated? |
None |
|
Source of information |
Trade union: Eng. Raymond Azzopardi, secretary, email exchange between the 24 and 25 February 2013 & telephone conversation on the 6 March 2013 Website/other secondary sources: Register of trade unions 2011/2012 EIRO national correspondent: Jeannine Vassallo |
|
UHM |
|
|---|---|
|
Union of United Workers |
|
|
Union Haddiema Maghqudin |
|
|
The union’s domain |
|
|
According to its domain, does the union potentially cover the entire electricity sector, including all of the sub-activities as a whole, as listed above? |
Yes |
|
According to its domain, does the union potentially cover all occupations within the electricity sector among both blue-collar workers and white-collar workers? |
Yes |
|
According to its domain, does the union potentially cover, within the electricity sector, all forms and size classes of enterprises (for instance: public ownership, private ownership, multinationals, domestic companies, SMEs, etc. – of course, only insofar as they exist in the sector)? |
Yes |
|
According to its domain, does the union potentially cover all regions of your country? |
Yes |
|
According to its domain, does the union potentially cover employees outside the electricity sector? |
Yes. The UHM is a general union, whose membership is open to all categories of workers, from within all employment sectors. |
|
General information on the union |
|
|
Is the union engaged in sector-related collective bargaining? |
No |
|
If yes, what form of collective bargaining? |
Not applicable |
|
How many employees are covered by the collective agreement/s signed by the union within the electricity sector (including those covered via extension mechanisms)? |
Not applicable |
|
Please indicate the type of membership |
Voluntary |
|
Is the union being consulted by the authorities in sector-related matters? |
Info not available |
|
How often do sector-related consultations involve the union? |
Info not available |
|
Members |
|
|
How many active members in employment does the union have in total (i.e. within the electricity sector and beyond)? |
26,273 (3708 of whom are retirees) |
|
How many active members in employment does the union have within the electricity sector only? |
306 (2007) |
|
Does the union have members in the largest electricity companies? |
Yes (there is only one company in Malta) |
|
Affiliations |
|
|
To which international organisations is the union affiliated? |
International Organisation of Public Service Employees (INFEDOP). Being a member of the CMTU, the UHM is indirectly affiliated with the European Trade Union Confederation (ETUC), Commonwealth Trade Union Council (CTUC), the European Federation of Retired and Elderly Parents (FERPA), and the International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC). |
|
To which European-level organisations is the union affiliated? |
European Organisation of Public Service Employees (EUROFEDOP) |
|
To which national-level organisations is the union affiliated? |
Confederation of Malta Trade Unions (CMTU) |
|
Source of information |
Trade union: Emails sent and calls made to Mr Sacco, Section Secretary Government Employees Section, and to generic email i.e. msacco@uhm.org.mt and info@uhm.org.mt between the 24 February and 6 March 2013 Website/other secondary sources: UHM website www.uhm.org.mt; Register of Trade Unions 2011/2012 EIRO national correspondent: Jeannine Vassallo |
8. Data on the employer associations
There are no employer organisations in the sector. During negotiations Enemalta Corporation is represented by the Assistant Human Resource Manager and the Deputy Chairman. Enemalta, however, is a member of EURELECTRIC, and will thus be included in this section.
|
Enemalta |
|
|---|---|
|
Enemalta |
|
|
Enemalta |
|
|
The employer organisation’s domain |
|
|
According to its domain, does the employer organisation potentially cover the entire electricity sector, including all of the sub-activities as a whole, as listed above? |
Yes |
|
According to its domain, does the employer organisation potentially cover, within the electricity sector, all (legal) forms and size classes of enterprises (for instance: public ownership, private ownership, multinationals, domestic companies, SMEs, etc.) (of course, only insofar as they exist in the sector)? |
No. The Enemalta is the sole company in the electricity sector in Malta. |
|
According to its domain, does the employer organisation potentially cover companies, within the electricity sector, in all regions of your country? |
Yes. Enemalta is the sole company in Malta. It works throughout all the regions in Malta. |
|
According to its domain, does the employer organisation potentially cover companies and/or business activities outside the electricity sector? |
No |
|
General information on the organisation |
|
|
Is the employer organisation engaged in sector-related collective bargaining? |
Yes |
|
If yes, what form of collective bargaining? |
Single-employer bargaining (i.e. on behalf of just one enterprise or group of enterprises - please indicate if it involves plant/company/group agreements) |
|
How many companies are covered by the collective agreement/s signed by the employer organisation within the electricity sector (including those covered via extension mechanisms)? |
1 |
|
How many employees are covered by the sector-related collective agreement/s signed by the employer organisation within the electricity sector (including those covered via extension mechanisms)? |
1,200 |
|
Please indicate the type of membership |
Compulsory |
|
Is the employer organisation being consulted by the authorities in sector-related matters? |
Yes |
|
How often do sector-related consultations involve the employer organisation? |
On a regular basis |
|
Members |
|
|
How many member companies does the employer organisation have in total (i.e. within the electricity sector and beyond)? |
1 |
|
How many employees work in these member companies in total (i.e. within the electricity sector and beyond)? |
1 |
|
How many member companies does the employer organisation have within the electricity sector only? |
1 |
|
How many employees work in these member companies within the electricity sector only? |
1,613 (2010) |
|
Are the largest electricity companies affiliated to this employer organisation? |
Yes |
|
Affiliations |
|
|
To which international organisations is the employer organisation affiliated? |
|
|
To which European-level organisations is the employer organisation affiliated? |
EURELECTRIC |
|
To which national-level organisations is the employer organisation affiliated? |
|
|
Source of information |
Employer organisation: Contact with Ms Sammut, director EU Affairs, Ministry of Finance via email and telephone between 24 February and 4 March 2013 Attempted contact with Enemalta personnel via email and telephone between 24 February and 6 March 2013 Website/other secondary sources: http://www.enemalta.com.mt/ EIRO national correspondent: Jeannine Vassallo |
9. Inter-associational relationships
9.1 Inter-union relationships
9.1.1 Please list all trade unions covered by this study whose domains overlap within the sector.
The domains of the GWU and UHM overlap with those of the ESSU and EPOU
9.1.2 Do rivalries and competition exist among the trade unions within the sector, concerning the right to conclude collective agreements and to be consulted in public policy formulation and implementation?
There are no visible rivalries or conflicts between the above-mentioned about the right to conclude collective agreements and to be consulted in public policy formation and implementation.
9.1.3 If yes, are certain trade unions excluded from these rights?
Not applicable
9.2 Inter-employer association relationships
There are no employer associations in this sector.
9.2.1 Please list all employer associations covered by this study whose domains overlap within the sector.
Not applicable
9.2.2 Do rivalries and competition exist among the employer associations within the sector, concerning the right to conclude collective agreements and to be consulted in public policy formulation and implementation?
Not applicable
9.2.3 If yes, are certain employer associations excluded from these rights?
Not applicable
9.2.4 Are there large companies or employer associations within the sector which refuse to recognise the trade unions and refuse to enter collective bargaining?
Not applicable
9. Commentary
The electricity sector employs less than 1% of the total workforce in Malta. The sector has been monopolised by the state corporation, Enemalta, since 1977. This monopoly has often been considered the reason behind Enemalta’s effectiveness.
In recent years two industrial disputes were declared by the GWU, because of what the GWU considered bad practice by Enemalta’s top management. In 2008 the union accused Enemalta of discrimination at the power stations workshop. The union claimed that certain people had been chosen by top management to get additional remuneration, which created a precedent and discouraged other workers in the same section. In 2011 the GWU also protested over claims that the workers of Enemalta’s credit control section had been given nothing to do for over a year while their work was being done by other employees working on overtime.
Conversely, the integrity and efficiency of Enemalta’s workers, as well as the sole-dependency on Enemalta for electricity supply were called into question by politicians and top Enemalta officials following national powercuts between 2009 and 2011. Nevertheless, unions, particularly the GWU, have actively contributed to ensuring that Enemalta remains efficient and sustainable by participating in thorough reform within Enemalta. This has taken place over the past three years, involving an analysis of Enemalta’s sections, their reorganisation (in certain cases), and changes in some workers’ job descriptions (allowing for more flexibility). This exercise allowed for a better understanding of the HR needs of each section within Enemalta, providing the opportunity for Enemalta to make better use of its resources. This reform has also provided opportunities for increases in workers’ salaries and has ensured that work is distributed more evenly among workers. Thus, the reform addresses complaints against both workers and management within Enemalta.
Nonetheless, Enemalta’s monopoly of the sector may soon be challenged, since local political parties have explored various options for reforms in Malta’s energy policy. Improved means of providing electricity, aimed at reducing electricity costs for consumers, thereby facilitating national economic competitiveness, have been at the core of a hotly-contested electoral campaign.
Another possible change could be that Enemalta’s electricity division will be split into smaller companies, thereby separating the generation, distribution and consumer services.
Workers’ unions (which collectively represent around 90% of workers in the sector) have already voiced concerns over the impact the various changes may have on workers and have acknowledged that these changes will also have implications on the unions’ work within the sector.
Jeannine Vassallo, Centre for Labour Studies
Annex: Organisations which are members of the sector-related European organisations
|
EPSU |
IndustriALL |
EURELECTRIC |
|
|---|---|---|---|
| AT |
GDG, VERDI |
PRO-GE |
Österreichs E-Wirtschaft |
| BE |
CSC, CSC - Services Publics, SLFP, CGSP ACOD, CGSP-P, CGSP-G GAZELCO Distrigas, CG-FGTB, CGSP-ACOD Gazelco, CGSP Admi |
ACV/CSC BIE, LBC-NVK, SETCA-BBTK |
FEBEG, SYNERGRID asbl |
| BG |
NSFEB, FEW-Podkrepa, PK Services, FCIW-PODK, NDWU, VODOSNABDITEL, FITUGO, FCIW-PODKREPA |
NF Energy - CL Podkrepa, NFE, NEWF Podkrepa |
Bulgarian Electric Power Association |
| CY |
FSGEC, PASYDY |
FPUEAE |
Electricity Authority of Cyprus |
| CZ |
OS UNIOS, Public Services International, OS ECHO, OS DLV, RWE |
OS ECHO |
CSZE |
| DE |
VERDI |
IG BCE |
BDEW |
| DK |
3F workers union, DM, PEU, FOA, |
DK Funktionærforbund, DEF, CO Industri |
Dansk Energi |
| EE |
AEEWTU |
AEEWTU - EEAÜL |
The Union of Electricity Industry of Estonia |
| ES |
FITAG-UGT, AGBAR, FSAP-CCOO, FSP UGT |
FITAG-UGT, FITEQA-CC.OO, ELA-HAINBAT, FI CC.OO, |
UNESA |
| FI |
JYTY, JHL, UNION of SALARIED EMPLOYEES, PARDIA, |
SÄHKÖLIITTO, UIL (INSINÖÖRILIITTO), |
Energiateollisuus ry |
| FR |
CGT – FNME, FPSPSS-FO, CGT-SP, Public Services International, PSI, INTERCO CFDT, FNEM-FO, CFTC, UNSA, FNME-CGT, |
FCE-CFDT, FNEM FO |
UFE |
| GR |
- |
PFEPPRCI, GENOP-DEI |
HELAS |
| HU |
VKDSZ, EVDSZ, HVDSZ 2000 |
V.D.Sz.Sz. (EVDSZ), BDSZ |
EMT |
| IE |
ESBOA, IMPACT, SIPTU, Electricity Supply Board Officers Association |
SIPTU |
EAI |
| IT |
FEMCA, UILCEM, FP-CGIL, FLAEI-CISL, FILCTEM-CGIL, |
UILCEM |
UNEI |
| LT |
LITUF, LVPF, LTUSE |
Nacionaline Lietuvos Elektros Asociacija |
|
| LU |
CGT-L, Confédération Luxembourgeoise des Syndicats Chrétiens - Secteur Public, LCGB, |
LCGB |
Organisation des Entreprises d’Electricité du Luxembourg |
| LV |
LTUE, LAKRS |
ENERGIJA, LINA |
LEEA |
| MT |
GWU |
ENEMALTA Corporation |
|
| NL |
ABVAKABO FNV, CNV FNV Bondgenoten, ABVAKABO FNV, EON |
FNV, CNV Vakmensen |
Energie-Nederland, Netbeheer Nederland |
| PL |
SKEE Solidarnosc, PSS Solidarnosc |
SGiE Solidarnosc, |
PKEE |
| PT |
Sindicato dos Trabalhadores da AdministraçãoPública, STAL, SINTAP, SINDEL, STE |
SINDEL |
ELECPROR |
| RO |
GAZ ROM, UNIVERS, Public Services International, ENERGETICA, APA NOVA, GAZ MEDIAS, FS Gaz Romania |
UFS ATLAS, FSLCP, FNME, Hidrosind, FS Hidrosind, |
IRE, |
| SE |
SEKO, NOFS, VISION, HK Kommunal, KOMMUNAL, TRANSPORT, FACKFORBUNDET |
UNIONEN, SEF, SVERIGES INGENJORER, SEKO |
Svensk Energi Swedenergy AB |
| SI |
SDE SLOVENIJE |
SDE |
Slovenian Chamber of Commerce, Energy Association, EURELECTRIC Section |
| SK |
SOZE, TUWIFWS, POZ, Slovak Gas Industry Trade Union, Slovak Trade Union of Health and Social Services, ECHOZ, SOZPS, SPP |
ZOJES |
ZZES |
| UK |
Prospect, UNISON, NIPSA, FDA, Unite the Union, GMB |
GMB, UNITE (ex-TGWU), UNITE the UNION |
ENA, Energy UK, ERA |
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