The Malta Employers’ Association has expressed concern about various reports of abuses in employment practices by some companies. The Association stressed the vast majority of employers in Malta are law abiding and invest heavily in the development of their human resources.

“This is one of the main reasons why the Maltese economy was not as adversely affected by the international recession as others,” it said.

The MEA also pointed out that during the recession most employers in Malta, contrary to the experience in other countries, managed to provide continuity of employment to a large percentage of their workforce. This fact, it said, highlights the importance Maltese employers attach to their people and exemplifies the social conscience that employers in our country have.

The MEA said it does not condone unethical or illegal practices in the employment of persons, and fully supports law enforcement efforts to ensure that employees work in a safe environment with working conditions which respect the legal parameters.

“It is unacceptable that companies offering conditions of employment below the legal minimum are allowed to continue servicing contracts which they may have won, even in the public sector, to the detriment of companies which respect the law. There is a clear need for enforcement to ensure a level playing field among employers and to protect law abiding organisations,” it said.

The MEA called on the government to ensure that companies are not penalised in the tendering process or in the delivery of their services because they offer working conditions in accordance to those established by law.

“On the other hand, unions should refrain from being anecdotal about their allegations of abuse. If they have tangible proof of illegal practices, they have the duty to report them to the competent authorities, rather than issuing statements which portray all employers with the same brush,” the MEA said.