Students following the part-time evening bachelor's degree in Work and Human Resources had the experience of a lifetime on Saturday 4 December whilst visiting Malta's oldest and largest workplace: Palumbo Malta Shipyard.
The visit included health and safety induction, an examination of the Machine Shop, as well as harbourside operations around Dock Number 6.
For 22 years (1975-1997), the shipyard (then Malta Drydocks) was run via a system of total worker self-management, with a Council of Administration completely elected by and from the workforce. What is now the Centre for Labour Studies at UM was set up precisely to monitor and advise on this system of alternative and participatory labour-management relations.
The students were guided throughout the visit by Mr. Joseph Calleja, the General Manager, and Prof. Godfrey Baldacchino.