Malta Court Rules With Union in Evolution Dispute

This week the Malta Superior Court blocked the layoffs of NetEnt employees after its acquisition by Evolution, ruling that the layoffs were done in violation of regulations in place in the country.

Evolution announced that it was laying off 324 people shortly after it purchased NetEnt as a result of €30 million in cost-cutting moves. The General Workers' Union filed a grievance, saying the company didn't consult the union as an employee representative. Instead, the company appointed its own representative, which the union claims dismissed the worker concerns.

NetEnt employees were notified of the dismissals last week, with some saying that they were escorted off the premesis by the new owners.

In a statement, the GWU said, "The GWU decried NetEnt and Evolution Gaming's anti-union tactics, which it contends are intended to prevent an effective consultation of employees at a critical moment when they are facing potential redundancy days before Christmas.

"Thanks to the Court's intervention following our urgent request, 324 illegal dismissals have now been put on hold. We will continue to insist that NetEnt and Evolution Gaming honour their consultation obligations in full, and we will do our utmost to ensure that jobs are saved, and, where that is not possible, that appropriate compensation is paid."