The General Workers’ Union (GWU) has sharply condemned Microtek Medical Malta Ltd — the Maltese subsidiary of U.S. healthcare giant Medline — for failing to present any form of compensation package to workers who are set to lose their jobs.
Despite Medline describing the closure of its Malta plant as a “strategic decision” aimed at reducing costs, likely in preparation for a multibillion-dollar Initial Public Offering (IPO), the company has not submitted even a single concrete offer to compensate its long-serving employees.
GWU Secretary General Josef Bugeja criticised the company’s actions as “global greed causing local suffering,” saying Medline generates billions worldwide and is not shutting down due to financial hardship.
“Medline is closing in Malta to clean up its financial books for Wall Street,” Bugeja said. “To throw 96 families out on the street at Christmas, after breaking the law by deciding the outcome before consultation even began, is an act of corporate brutality we will not accept.”
According to the union, Medline has stalled negotiations, dismissed GWU proposals, and failed to present any counter-proposal.
International Escalation
The dispute is now moving beyond Malta’s shores. The GWU has received formal backing from the European Trade Union Confederation (ETUC), representing 45 million workers across Europe.
In a letter to the GWU, ETUC Secretary General Esther Lynch condemned Medline’s behaviour as “a disregard for workers’ rights and the basic principles of social dialogue.”
The GWU announced a series of escalating actions:
- Formal Industrial Dispute: An official dispute has been registered.
- European Mobilisation: A mobilisation task force will begin coordinating with worker representatives at Medline facilities in France and Slovakia. The GWU said Medline cannot expect “business as usual” in Europe while violating workers’ rights in Malta.
- Industrial Action Notice: The company has been formally notified of impending industrial action, which may escalate if no fair resolution is reached.
- Legal Action: The union is preparing to file an unfair dismissal case on behalf of all affected employees, citing a flawed consultation process — a claim supported by Medline’s own documentation.
The GWU said it remains committed to defending the workers and ensuring they receive the compensation and dignity they deserve.
