A man, his daughter and two sons who own a cleaning services company were yesterday charged with trafficking 31 Filipino workers brought to Malta through an agent for €5,000 each.

Joseph Degiorgio, 71, of Balzan, his sons, Paul, 47, of Lija, and Christopher, 42, of Naxxar and their sister Josianne Bugeja Degiorgio, 34, of Balzan, pleaded not guilty. Magistrate Consuelo Scerri Herrera refused bail and ordered all witnesses to be summoned on Monday.

The defendants are directors of Mr Clean Services, which forms part of the Degiorgio Group that specialises in cleansing, disinfecting and waste management services.

Employee Beverly Martinez testified that when she arrived in Malta she had signed a second contract, which, unlike the first one signed in the Philippines, did not cover accommodation and food expenses. She said she was paid €4.20 an hour, regardless of whether it was a public holiday or not.

The defence pointed out that the discrepancy was not in the take-home pay. It argued that accommodation and food were catered for by the recruitment agency in line with Filipino legal provisions for nationals working abroad. The defence team pointed out that the accused could not be held accountable because they were not responsible for the lodging.

At the end of the sitting, Mr Degiorgio, senior, had to be given medical assistance after he fainted in the courtroom.

Lawyers Franco Debono, Joe Giglio and Amadeus Cachia were defence counsel. Lawyers Lara Dimitrijevic and Anne Marie Bisazza appeared parte civile for the workers.