The employers association called on the Government to continue tackling the issue of precarious jobs and establish a minimum rate of payment.

The Malta Employers’ Association said it received information that a number of government contracts in the security and cleaning sectors were still being given to the lowest bidder at hourly rates that “barely cover the minimum wage”.

This practice was placing serious employers at a “severe competitive disadvantage” and also fuelled the “hysteria” about precarious employment in these sectors, which was casting a negative image on all employers, the association said.

In its proposals for the Budget, the association proposed setting an hourly rate of €7.50, excluding VAT, together with proper enforcement of labour legislation and the setting up of a services charter to encourage com-pliance with legal and ethical employment practices.

The proposed rate would cover wages, social security, vacation leave, bonuses and sick leave and allowed for a margin of profitability and manoeuverability for collective bargaining in these sectors.

Without such measures, any discussions about decent working conditions in the security, cleaning and care working sectors would be superfluous, the association said.

It urged trade unions to support its proposals in the workers’ interests.