Updated 1.25pm - Added OPM statement

A PN government would ensure that all workers carrying out the same work are paid equally, Opposition leader Simon Busuttil promised this morning.

Addressing a political activity at the Mellieħa Nationalist Party club, Dr Busuttil said that many people had approached him in recent months complaining that government employees were getting paid more than others despite carrying out the same job at the same workplace.

“I have had cleaners come to me with stories that because they work with a contractor who has an agreement with the government they were earning less than government workers doing the same job.

“The same thing happens with those caring for the elderly,” Dr Busuttil said.

Equal pay for equal work was a basic principle that should be adhered to by all employers, the PN leader insisted, yet it was evident this was not the case and government employees were being preferred over others.

Dr Busuttil also promised to eradicate injustices and indignity across the board, saying that the Nationalist Party will protect those affected.

“I am sick of hearing people’s stories about the way they are treated and the sense of fear instilled by this government,” he added.

Dr Busuttil went on to criticise Prime Minister Joseph Muscat for boasting about a strong economy while some 200,000 people were still not earning more than €11,000 a year.

While these people were struggling to make ends meet, with some not even earning enough to make it from one paycheque and another, Dr Muscat spent €11,000 on a week-long stay in a hotel in Dubai, the Opposition leader said. 

Moving on to pensions, Dr Busuttil said that while people had worked hard all their lives, paying taxes along the years, many elderly people were still struggling because their pension was not enough to cover expenses.

“The PN will also be addressing this issue. Where there are elderly who require medication that is not given for free and cannot afford to buy this, we promise to give such medicine to them for free.”

Dr Busuttil again called on the government to take action against the alleged political interference in a drugs investigation in Gozo.

He insisted that instead of calling on his ministers and demanding an explanation, Dr Muscat had appointed an inquiry led by those who are close to the Labour party.
While parents were concerned for their children’s well-being, Dr Muscat was protecting drug traffickers.

In a brief reply, the Office of the Prime Minister said this allegation was mere mudslinging, and insisted the inquiry underway was a "serious and independent" one. 

Dr Busuttil's "desperate and irresponsible" claims, the OPM said, showed that he wanted to be both judge and jury. 

Meanwhile, government institutions were also marred by interference, Dr Busuttil went on, pointing to this week’s reports that Broadcasting Authority chair Tanya Borg Cardona had last year been given a government job on a position-of-trust basis.

“This week we also learnt that the Broadcasting Authority chairperson, which should be someone who is the epitome of impartiality, is in a position of trust with Dr Muscat.

“She has to choose, either the trust of the people or the trust of Joseph Muscat. No wonder the PBS is the way it is and lacks impartiality,” Dr Busuttil went on.

Referring to a news item in today’s The Malta Independent on Sunday alleging that out of a sample of 300 identity cards there were 80 people with more than one identity document, Dr Busuttil promised that the PN would not let the government get away with tampering with basic elements of democracy.

“This is something that not only shocks and angers us but it is news that further strengthens our resolve to fight the corruption by this government,” the party leader said.

Dr Busuttil said that the PN was once again ready to prove that it could reinstate people’s pride in Malta, something the PN will be showing in the coming week during the European People’s Party congress.

The congress is being held in Malta, with some 1,500 delegates from all over Europe coming over.

 

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