Recent statistics showing an increase in the number of part-timers reminded me of a conversation I had with a friend some time ago.

The conversation revolved around the conditions of work in the private sector and how some employers are using part-timers instead of giving overtime work to their employees – naturally to avoid the overtime rate of pay.

More abusive is the fact that many times a company’s workers are employed as part-timers under a different job title while they still perform their regular job. This hurts more as the regular workers who are often not liable to income tax are expected to pay 15 per cent tax on their part-time job.

Complaints with the Labour Office had always elicited the same answer. They are in compliance with the law.

Would it be too much to ask the Labour Office to investigate whether this practice has resulted in the increase in the number of part-time workers?

It is about time the minister who deals with labour looks into the matter.