'Jobless' drivers found behind the wheel

Ten public transport drivers were caught working while registering for work over the past two months by the enforcement unit of the Malta Transport Authority.

Authority (ADT) spokesman Alfred Magrin said that as soon as the drivers were found out, the Employment and Training Corporation was informed and they were struck off the employment register.

As a result of this measure, they now cannot register for employment for six months, losing the unemployment benefit and court action will also be instituted against them, he said.

Additionally, their ADT tag, enabling them to work as drivers, was withdrawn and would only be returned once they regulate their position.

For the tag to be returned, their employer would have to inform the ADT which, in turn, confirms with the ETC that everything is in order.

Nearly 800 inspections and interviews carried out jointly with ETC inspectors also yielded 254 cases of employed people but who had not informed the corporation that they had a job.

The investigations were carried out in Paola, at the airport, in Burmarrad, the Valletta bus terminus and the Valletta Waterfront.