In spite of recent efforts to improve the living quarters of Asian nationals employed by Chinese company Leisure Clothing, parts of the premises are still below the minimum acceptable standards.

This was the general impression at the end of a pre-announced on-site inspection carried out yesterday by Magistrate Carol Peralta at the Ħal Far complex. The media was given free access to the premises during the visit.

Located next to the headquarters of the Employment and Training Corporation, it houses about 120 Asian nationals working at the Bulebel clothes factory.

While it was evident that ‘residents’ were instructed to tidy up the place and get everything in order, this could not conceal the general environment, which was at times appalling.

In some of the rooms visited during the inspection, ceiling fans were falling to pieces, walls were filthy and stained while appliances looked old and rusty. These contrasted sharply with a number of flat screen television sets, which, sources said, had been given to employees only recently.

In addition, sanitary facilities were also not up to scratch, with leaking water pipes, broken window panes and clothes hanging across the room.

When the case surfaced in the media, action was taken and things started to improve

In an adjacent block, four employees had to share a single room but some of them were lucky enough to have an air conditioning unit.

The rest would be given €10 a month compensation for sharing a room for four with no air conditioning, the media was told.

The inspection was made in the wake of claims made in court by employees who spoke about the “appalling” conditions they had to endure. They claimed the living quarters were small, crammed and dirty.

The complaints were aired during the compilation of evidence against Bin Han, 46, from San Ġwann and Jia Liu, 31, from Birżebbuġa, who are charged with human trafficking and the exploitation of Chinese and Vietnamese workers at Leisure Clothing. They are pleading not guilty.

Magistrate Peralta, hearing the case, announced last Wednesday he would be carrying out an on-site inspection of the dormitory at 10am on Friday (yesterday).

Police sources told Times of Malta that, since the initial inspections carried out last August, things had somewhat improved. “Back then, the living quarters were filthy and none of these common areas had been embellished. However, when the case surfaced in the media, action was taken and things started to improve,” they said.

With a surrounding fence and a large metal gate at the entrance, the complex is reminiscent of the notorious closed centres housing irregular migrants.

According to Mr Bin, the gate was only meant to protect employees because, last year, unidentified people had broken into the complex. He denied claims that a curfew was enforced.

“If employees return to the complex late at night they just ring the bell and the security [officer] opens for them,” he said.

A Vietnamese worker testified in court that the food they were fed was “inedible” and used to give her the runs. This contrasted sharply with the cleanliness witnessed and the apparent quality of food being prepared during yesterday’s inspection.

Improvements were noted in the common areas, where visible signs of recent embellishment could be noticed.

These included a brand new pool table, table tennis and some basic gymnasium equipment. Mr Bin said employees were given free wi-fi access.