Many part-timers 'exploited'
Żminijietna - Voice of the Left has welcomed Social Policy Minister John Dalli's instructions that whoever bids for government contracts should also include details of the conditions they are offering workers.
Żminijietna said a substantial number of workers taken on by such contractors are on a part-time basis and urged Minister Dalli to tackle the increasing exploitation of part-time workers in various sectors of the economy.
The group noted that part-time work is on the rise in Malta, to the extent that there are around 47,000 part-time workers, 26,000 of whom have only part-time work as their main source of income. Many such workers are afraid of reporting their employers to the authorities for fear of negative repercussions at work, Żminijietna said.
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Anthony Borg
May 19th 2008, 18:21
Mr. Victor Caruana seems to want the present situation to continue, namely of exploiting the part timers.
May I point out that Germany which is the powerhouse of Europe has better paid workers and better conditions.
When will the Maltese employers learn that productivity and competitiveness will not be achieved by paying lousy wages and terrible working conditions.
I can assure the gentleman that I know what I am talking about, having worked abroad for a multinational company in a managerial position.
Even road congestion has a detrimental effect. Outdated equipment, work practices, workplace cleanliness, lighting, heating and SAFETY all contribute.
Above all what is needed is proper and well trained management and just employing a family relation who may be as thick as the proverbial two planks will not do.
I despair when I see what goes on in industry (and service companies) and the worker gets the blame.
I will go as far to say that with proper management even the dockyard can be profitable.
victor caruana
May 19th 2008, 10:04
Keep on dreaming.
Minister Dalli knows well enough that employment has lately stabilised because there was a thawing of the rigidity of our labour market by.... looking the other way. Minimum wages, conditions like vacation and sick leave, overtime rates and number of working hours were thrown to the wind. Illegal immigration and fear of losing jobs facilitated these conditions. And the Unions are helpless.
It is impossible for Minister Dalli to enforce his policy. One reason is that if he really insists on this, we lose competitiveness and unemployment starts creeping up again. Minister Dalli may succeed in forcing contractors submit documentation about their workers but these would not reflect reality. And Minister Dalli knows that he can do nothing about it if he wants stability amongst the few local contractors. Just keep dreaming - the market is king.