HM Government of Gibraltar notes today's impromptu march and demonstration by Unite the Union and its Gibraltar Industrial Cleaners (GIC) membership, the organisation tasked in waste collection around Gibraltar.

The Government has confirmed to Unite that it is currently exploring options to ensure Gibraltar’s resilience in handling municipal waste in case of a non-negotiated outcome in the context of the ongoing UK-EU treaty negotiations.  Should the Government decide to settle on options which involve any material adverse changes to any of the employees of GIC, it will naturally consult the Union or the relevant collective's staff representatives about any such proposed changes. It must, however, be noted that, the options which Government is considering do not envisage any adverse consequences for the Union's members.

The Government will provide a further statement on options being considered in respect of resilience in waste/refuse matters as soon as it is able to do so. The Government trusts that the employees of the company that undertake refuse collection, GIC, will be reassured by the commitment already made to their Union and repeated herein that none of the options being considered by the Government involve any material, adverse changes to their terms and conditions.

ENDS