MALTA: UNION & EVOLUTION REACH AGREEMENT OVER NETENT JOB LOSSES

The General Worker’s Union – Malta (GWU), and Evolution Gaming Group have reached an agreement over redundancies following the company’s acquisition of NetEnt.  

After negotiations, the GWU managed to secure an improved severance offer for those NetEnt employees facing redundancy, and Evolution has agreed to offer 40 staff alternative employment. A further 60 workers are expected to be taken on by other gaming and financial services operators in Malta. 

The GWU, which represents the majority of NetEnt’s employees in Malta, had filed an application before Malta’s Superior Courts, requesting an injunction to prevent the company from proceeding with any redundancies or terminations. The First Hall, Civil Court, provisionally accepted the injunction. 

The improved severance package will see each applicable employee get an extra €750, while there will also be more help for employees currently on maternity leave and regarding the availability of the company’s health benefits. Affected GWU members overwhelmingly approved the new severance package proposals. 

Commenting on the process GWU Secretary General, Josef Bugeja, said:

“We negotiated intensely and with determination. We saved jobs to the extent that this was possible. We ensured that all those who are being let go are suitably compensated.” 

Bugeja went on to thank Evolution CEO Martin Carlsund, and company legal advisor Paul Gonzi for their assistance in reaching an agreement. The GWU has now withdrawn its court injunction, and the industrial dispute is considered resolved.  

AYO.NEWS says:

All things considered, this is the best outcome that anyone could realistically have hoped for. As we’ve said before, any protracted dispute could have been very damaging for the gaming industry in Malta – something that the country absolutely cannot afford given the ongoing COVID-19 crisis which has utterly decimated many other areas of the economy, especially the vitally important tourist sector. 

We wish the best of luck to all those affected, and are sure many more will find alternative employment with other operators. 

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