Lotto receivers stage protest against Maltco
Threaten to withdraw game
Lotto receivers yesterday closed their booths for an hour from 9 a.m. to protest at "Maltco's arrogance" which they claim could lead to the death of lotto, a game played in Malta since 1923.
They assembled in front of the company's offices in Lija carrying posters saying "Gamble... But not our rights", "No to Arrogance" and "No more take it or leave it attitude".
The company, the receivers said, wanted to reduce the lotto's winning odds which they argued could endanger their livelihoods.
The receivers were asked to protest by the Union Haddiema Maghqudin (UHM) and the Lotto Receivers' Union (LRU). Action would be taken unless the situation improved, UHM general secretary Gejtu Vella said. Both unions embarked on discussions with Maltco in April last year so that busy booths would be given a second computer terminal to enable them to cope with work. However, the company has refused to hand these over unless receivers accept its decision to reduce the lotto winning odds.
The UHM said Maltco has informed the government that unless the lotto game was changed it would stop it as of the end of this year.
Both the UHM and the LRU said such behaviour was unacceptable. They urged Maltco to enter into serious discussions with them on what could directly or indirectly affect receivers so as not to allow industrial relations to deteriorate.
Maltco's general director Mario Cassar declined to comment. "We need to have a complete picture before commenting," he said.