One in five transport workers 'irregular'

A large number of workers in the transport sector have been found working irregularly during inspections carried out over the summer by officials from the Employment and Training Corporation (ETC) aided by Public Transport Authority representatives.

Out of the 959 drivers of buses, mini-buses, coaches, taxis and horse-drawn cabs who were interviewed since June, 223 were found to be working irregularly, the ETC said yesterday. This figure is well over one in five.

These people did not inform the corporation of their employment, while 20 drivers were also found to be working while registering for unemployment benefits, the ETC said.

In September alone, 502 persons working in the transport sector were interviewed, of which four were found to be working while registering for work and 193 did not declare their employment.

The ETC urged the public to report persons working irregularly, especially those claiming benefits.

The ETC offers a 24-hour hotline service for the public on freephone 8007 6501 to report such abuses. Total anonymity of the caller and action is assured, it said.

Raphael Scerri, acting senior manager of the ETC, told The Times that the law contemplates punitive measures both for persons caught infringing labour laws and for defaulting employers.

In the case of a worker caught working while registering for work, the individual is removed from the register for the unemployed. Any benefits will be stopped.

Mr Scerri added that the individual will only be allowed to resume registering after he had worked for six months without interruption and has had his employment terminated by the employer. If the individual stops working voluntarily he will not be entitled to register.

Mr Scerri said steps will be taken against an employer if an "unemployed" worker is not registering for employment but is found to be working.

The ETC sends the list of persons interviewed by the ETC for employment to the Department of Social Security on a monthly basis.

www.etc.gov.mt