I am writing this piece in Geneva while attending – together with employers’ and workers’ representatives – the yearly International Labour Organisation conference. Discussions revolve around the director general’s report on realities, renewal and tripartite commitment in relation to work.
In the long run, abuse does not pay
As a government, we are committed to social dialogue and to an enhanced cooperation with the social partners. Thus, this conference was a good opportunity to speak about issues that need addressing back home. In line with this, it is good that, today, on the MCESD agenda we have placed the issue of the critical conditions of employment offered to sectors of our working population. This theme was addressed at the conference by most participants, including our own workers’ and employers’ representatives.
I obviously spoke about the matter myself, remarking that anecdotal evidence and scientific research in Malta highlight situations of objectionable conditions of employment.
The Prime Minister, with the full backing of Cabinet, is adamant that these situations will be corrected under his watch. We are committed to address the issue of bad working conditions in the fairest way possible.
It is unacceptable that there are groups within our midst that are, or may be, at increased risk of becoming, vulnerable or marginalized. This is in line with what Guy Ryder (ILO director general) also highlights in his report, that is, “the protection of workers from unacceptable forms of work”.
Much has been written and discussed on the subject and there are an array of guiding principles - endorsed by the United Nations Human Rights Council - for business and workers’ rights, which set a global standard with respect to human rights and business activity.
Ryder goes on to state that it is necessary for the ILO to embark on its second century with “an explicit commitment to the most vulnerable in the world of work”. Every day we are faced with cases of those whose work conditions “threaten their human dignity and physical and moral integrity”.
The ILO Decent Work Agenda speaks about the issue that “all workers and, in particular disadvantaged or poor workers, need representation, participation and laws that work for their interests”. It is, thus, our responsibility, as a government, to continue taking action and keeping this topic as a priority on the national agenda.
Allowing for an uneven playing field whereby employers take an unfair advantage on their competitors because the working conditions they offer their employees are not up to standard is unacceptable. This impacts badly on employers who do things correctly and on workers who give an honest day’s work.
The government should be a model employer and must lead by example. Thus, and this is an understatement, we must ensure that contracts for services are not awarded to employers who, in any way, breach employment laws. We must also facilitate compliance-monitoring for both employers and employees.
While action is of the essence, so is education. Awareness about employment rights for employers and employees is important. All must be conscious of the fact that, in the long run, abuse does not pay.
In our first days in government, we strengthened the regulatory capacity of the labour inspectorate by recruiting additional labour inspectors. This is, of course, a drop in the ocean but it underlines our commitment to the fight to reduce abusive employment conditions.
Every government wants the creation of work and every person has the right to work. We have to strike a balance between the need to improve competitiveness and the amelioration of working conditions. The ILO’s focus on tripartite commitment should inspire us.
By and large, our contributions to the conference, as government, employers and unions, sent the right message. With the cooperation and goodwill of all stakeholders we shall certainly move closer to achieving this goal of better understanding and of effective action aimed towards the goal of more and better work in the interest of all the stakeholders.
Today, we shall carry on with the discussion at the MCESD. What I consider to be of the essence here is goodwill from all sides and the moral imagination to arrive at just solutions.
Helena Dalli is Minister for Social Dialogue, Consumer Affairs and Civil Liberties.