Fines for electricity theft will increase drastically, Energy Minister Konrad Mizzi said yesterday, adding that the “full force of the law” would be applied to those who had not admitted using tempered meters.
Dr Mizzi was speaking yesterday on the last day of a government amnesty for consumers who were part of the smart meter scam uncovered earlier this year.
The government had waived criminal proceedings against electricity thieves who came forward and admitted wrongdoing as long as they paid back what was owed, including a fine and interest.
The waiver was also conditional on consumers providing information on officials who were behind the scam that cost Enemalta millions of euros in lost revenue.
Several officials have already been charged and two were imprisoned after admitting guilt.
“Police inspections will be carried out at households suspected of having had a tempered meter and criminal action will be taken.
“The full force of the law will be applied to those who have not owned up,” Dr Mizzi said.
Given that 12 workers with links to the scam were suspended, Dr Mizzi said inspections at the private residences of workers employed in the meter reader and distribution sections were also held to ascertain their integrity.
He did not exclude that more employees will be suspended as the investigation continues.
Speaking during a visit to the headquarters of utility billing company ARMS in Blata l-Bajda, Dr Mizzi said the government was in the process of drawing up new regulations that would see fines for electricity theft rise exponentially.
Dr Mizzi also said that 40 customer care officials at ARMS who were employed through a contractor on monthly contracts, at €4.50 an hour, would be absorbed on a full-time basis.
As part of the government’s drive to clamp down on precarious jobs, Dr Mizzi said talks were held with the contractor and the General Workers’ Union for the employees to be given a six-month contract.
He said that from May the contractor will increase their wages to €6.50 at no extra charge to the government. However, ARMS will be absorbing the costs of leave and sick leave.
After the six-month lapse, Dr Mizzi said the customer care workers, most of who have been working at ARMS for years, will be engaged by the State firm directly.
Asked about the future of Enemalta workers as a result of Chinese investment and the development of a new power station by ElectroGas, Dr Mizzi insisted all jobs would be guaranteed.
He said work conditions as outlined in the collective agreement currently in force would continue to be respected and workers would be given an option to be seconded with ElectroGas or the BWSC plant, which will be run by Shanghai Electric.
Dr Mizzi said seconded workers will remain on Enemalta’s books.
ksansone@timesofmalta.com