The Malta Employers’ Association has called on the government to issue a clarification on the minimum rates of tendering in the cleaning and security sectors.

Misunderstandings of the minimum rate were causing unwarranted tension as workers mistook the minimum tendering rate to represent their hourly salary.

In a statement the association said that operators in these sectors were given to understand that no tender for cleaning and security services would be accepted at a rate of less than €5.78 per hour as from March 10.

In recent weeks, employers had been approached by their employees requesting payment of €5.78 per hour, and even unions were being pressured into making claims to this effect.

“This is creating a situation of confusion and uncertainty as companies are not in a position to pay these rates,” the association said, adding that the tendering rate of €5.78 barely covered the national minimum wage, other employment-related costs and administrative expenses.

“In 2013, the MEA had issued a joint statement with the General Workers’ Union recommending an hourly tendering rate of €7.50 for companies to have a safe margin within which to operate,” it added.