Privatisation of Mid-Med to HSBC : a case study, a year later

Abstract

This dissertation attempts to present a clear view about Mid-Med Bank prior to being privatised, the privatisation process itself and the aftermath. Under the microscope came the unions, management and government who all played an important role in the privatisation processes. The privatisation that Mid-Med underwent had never occurred in Malta as "it was a ruthless action against Mid-Med employees, a stab in the back of the Unions and a day light robbery of the nation". I was involved during the whole processes and can recount what pressure the employees felt and what changes did privatisation brought about for the industrial system especially collective bargaining. Although I was representing the G.W.U. during the privatisation saga, during this dissertation I avoided being biased by sticking to facts and quoting from papers that surely did not side with the G.W.U. In writing this dissertation it is impossible not to mention the contribution that Karmenu Vella, Secretary of the Professional Services Section, gave especially during the whole privatisation drama of Mid-Med Bank. One thing that will still live with me and will always be a point of inquest is: if the two main trade unions in Mid-Med Bank, that is M.U.B.E. and the G.W.U., had been united from the beginning of the privatisation process of Mid-Med, would things have taken a different course?