Claims that incidents of physical and verbal abuse against drivers are on the rise are being denied by the bus service operator but the General Workers’ Union insists workers were increasingly apprehensive while on the job.
The debate was stoked by a Times of Malta report of a Nigerian bus driver who was attacked by a motorist. The incident happened on September 21 in Mosta when Donatus Okereke, 28, who resides in Birżebbuġa, had to be treated at a health centre after being punched three times in the face.
A Maltese man will be charged with causing slight injuries to the bus driver, according to the police.
Mr Okereke had expressed concern that this had not been an isolated incident, having had three such experiences since the start of the year.
His concerns were shared by some of his colleagues who said that such cases were becoming increasingly common. Drivers who spoke to this newspaper on condition of anonymity vented their frustration that they were being left alone to face awkward situations. One recounted an incident when he was threatened with a knife simply because he noted that a passenger had an expired ticket.
A good number of them feel that reporting incidents is futile due to the high number of such occurrences they face on a daily basis
Replying to questions by this newspaper, a spokesman for Malta Public Transport Services said that company records indicated that this year instances of physical aggression towards drivers were lower than in 2013.
He said that cases of violence, intimidation or abuse against employees and/or passengers were taken very seriously and would not be tolerated. “It is for this reason that the company insists with employees to report all incidents,” he added.
He noted that only one report was ever filed by Mr Okereke. This was in connection with the incident in Mosta where the company took immediate action and handed the police footage from CCTV cameras on the bus according to set procedure, the spokesman said.
He pointed out that the company’s records showed that this year there were no reports involving a driver being threatened with a knife.
Probed about the company’s denial, Jeremy Camilleri, a GWU official, said the union was not in a position to verify what the company was saying. However, he could vouch for the increasing number of members complaining of being subjected to physical and verbal abuse.
Regarding unreported incidents, the official said members were always directed to forward complaints to the company. “However, in cases of verbal abuse or threatening behaviour, a good number of them feel that doing so is futile due to the high number of incidents they face on a daily basis,” Mr Camilleri said.
Prior to the latest case, the union had already raised the issue with the company’s management and a number of suggestions were made. Among them was installing a Perspex shield, similar to those in taxis abroad, to protect drivers in cases of aggressive behaviour, Mr Camilleri said.
“We are waiting for the company’s feedback on this proposal as a work practices review is being carried out to improve employees’ safety,” he added.