GWU unhappy with call for tenders

The General Workers' Union has called on the Industrial Relations and Employment director to look into a call for tenders for security services issued by the Malta Council for Culture and the Arts.

In a letter to the director, section secretary Karmenu Vella said the highest amount the council was prepared to pay would not permit the winning bidder to pay even a minimum wage to personnel.

The amount cited in the call did not include basic overheads, uniforms or the employees' liability insurance, he said.

However, council administrator Bernie Glanville said yesterday that the tender ceiling, which was of Lm2.18 an hour, would have permitted the employer to pay the worker the minimum wage as well as all associated expenses - together amounting to Lm1.94 - leaving the bidder with a small profit. She said that no one had placed a bid for the tender, which had been issued before Easter. The security services were not required for a lengthy period but only for the folk singing festival, she added.

Asked whether the council would be reissuing the call, Ms Glanville said it would follow the advice of the Industrial Relations Department.