The political context of the management of human resources in two parastatal companies : Kalaxlokk and Freeport

Abstract

This study analyzes the role that politics has in the daily operations of a parastatal company, on its way of being phased out, Kalaxlokk and another government-owned company, which is in the process of being fully privatized in September 2001, Freeport. This study considers how abuses in recruitment procedures due to political nature are effecting the day-to-day operations of this entities. This study takes also into consideration the role of trade unions under different administration and how these trade union can help the workers' interests due to any injustices suffered by the latter. A final look is also taken to the various work-practices which workers from Freeport brought to Kalaxlokk and caused the non-viability of the same Kalaxlokk. Several information from parliamentary debates together with interviews with representatives of Kalaxlokk, UHM and GWU helped me a lot in formulating this dissertation. This study will not solve problems which are with in the Maltese culture from the period after the Knights , but will eventually serve as an eye-opener to various working situation where political involvment is ruining the viability of various work-places and putting at risk various working places.