The issue on equal pay for equal work directive

Żminijietna - Voice of the Left - extends its solidarity with the ambulance drivers at Mater Dei Hospital and their colleagues at the Guardamangia garage, who are engaged in an industrial dispute with the ministry responsible for health on an "equal-pay-for-equal-work" issue.

Żminijietna agrees and sympathises with the position taken by the General Workers' Union in favour of solidarity and equality among these workers.

The government should know that European Directives 75/117/EEC and 2006/54/EC on equal pay for equal work were enforced in all the EU states in order to abolish discrimination among workers, where these were being paid less in both wages and benefits. In Malta, the directive is not being followed purposely to the detriment of the workers. In this case, it's the government as an employer that is not following the directive.

The government as an "employer" should abide by the European directive on equal pay for equal work in dealing with its employees. The government is again creating discrimination among its workers.

The same can be said for the terms stipulated in government tenders where the conditions of employment are not according to EU directives. It is shameful to have a government that is ignoring European directives that ensure better working conditions and move towards a more social Europe.

Żminijietna believes that the government has to lead by example in the work environment, where inequality and precarious work has become intolerable.

Many employers are still ignoring this directive; in fact, wages are being related to production, the nature of work and gender and not to its provisions. Gross inequalities still exist and, in some cases, female employees are paid less than their male colleagues.