The General Workers’ Union, which has been crusading against precarious work for years, said none of its members ever witnessed workers’ exploitation at the Leisure Clothing plant.
Two days ago, a director of the Chinese State-owned company was questioned by the police in relation to claims of human trafficking and substandard working conditions.
The press reported last Sunday that Asian workers were being conned into accepting attractive jobs in Malta, only to end up working in appalling conditions for long hours in breach of the minimum employment standards.
GWU general secretary Tony Zarb declined to give any comments to Times of Malta, saying the union would be issuing a statement. In a written reply, the union urged the company’s management to react to the claims made.
It said that, following a meeting with the workers’ representative, it transpired that no incident involving inhuman treatment of Asian workers or even slavery had ever been witnessed at the factory on the Bulebel industrial estate.
“This was also corroborated by all the workers during a meeting with the union’s section secretary Paul Bugeja,” the GWU said.
Nevertheless, the union urged the police to continue with its probe to verify the reports and if necessary bring those responsible to justice. While condemning any form of abuse, the GWU noted that in recent years it had come to the defence of Pakistani nationals working at Mater Dei Hospital and foreigners serving on merchant vessels who were being exploited.
This was also corroborated by all the workers during a meeting with the union’s secretary
The Malta Employers’ Association, the Union Ħaddiema Magħqudin and the Chamber of Commerce, Enterprise and Industry took a different approach, expressing deep concern and urging the authorities to crack down on this alleged abuse.
Workers at Leisure Clothing Limited, about 260, were being left with about €150 month to spend, as a large chunk of their income was being deducted to cover accommodation and expenses.
A Chinese Embassy spokesman strongly denied such allegations saying this was a “frame-up”.
The police said yesterday that claims that officers had been bribed were being investigated. The media reported that pressure had been exerted on the police to stop investigating. The police appealed for any information that could shed light on such allegations.