The Hospitality and Food Section of GWU has been led by a new secretary since last Tuesday. This came after the section conference appointed Kevin Abela to the position, who until a few days ago served in the union as assistant secretary in the shipping and aviation section.
Abela began his career some 30 years ago as an employee of the national airline Air Malta, where he held various positions, eventually reaching the rank of manager in the Passenger Handling and Ground Operations Department.
He is not an unknown face in the General Workers Union, having been a member of the Air Malta Workers Committee and shop steward for many years, where he was also involved in several negotiations that resulted in collective agreements that improved workers’ conditions.
In 2020, Kevin Abela was appointed Deputy Secretary of the Maritime and Aviation Section within the GWU.
In comments made to Talk.mt on his appointment, he praised the work of his previous secretary, Kenny Muscat, who has just finished his career at the GWU, and referred to the economic challenges, especially in the hospitality and aviation sectors in our country, challenges that arise mainly from the energy crisis, the war in Ukraine and the lack of labour in the sector.
However, he said that the hospitality industry has a bright future ahead of it, as tourism to Malta is increasing and there are clear signs of a strong economic recovery from the pandemic.
Kevin Abela is married to Gloria and they have two sons, Nicholas and Andrew.
