Gravediggers were instructed to sign a declaration denying a report on their working conditions carried by this newspaper last week, sources have said.

The day after The Sunday Times of Malta published a story raising awareness to the health hazards they face as a result of the primitive working conditions they are forced to work in, gravediggers were rounded up and told off for “shedding a bad light on the government”.  The meetings were held over two days.

They were given a declaration to sign that denied the facts of the report. Most signed it, fearing they would lose their job, but a few refused, the sources said.

They were told all the necessary action would be taken to stem the negative reports.

They were also informed an inspection would be held and were instructed to clean and paint their quarters, which are infested with cockroaches and filth. They have so far refused, saying this is not their job. The government has other employees dedicated to these duties.

Speaking to The Sunday Times of Malta yesterday, Health Minister Chris Fearne said the gravediggers had been given uniforms – two pairs for summer and two for winter.

Gravediggers exhuming remains.

However, it is unclear whether these uniforms address the health risks on the job such as exposed skin during exhumation, as highlighted in this newspaper’s report.

Mr Fearne also said two vans were acquired “to facilitate grave cleaning services”. When this newspaper checked, sources said there was only one van in a very bad state used for transportation between Addolorata and other government cemeteries where the gravediggers work.

The health ministry said gravediggers are given safety shoes which are replaced as the need arises. This too was denied by the staff, who said they were permitted one pair every two years. If torn before then, gravediggers are obliged to buy their own shoes.

Face masks that help protect against disease on the job “are available”, the ministry said. But gravediggers have never been seen wearing them. And the disposable gloves they are given have to be reused, sources added.

This newspaper was present during a scheduled ‘cleaning’ of graves in the early hours of the morning at the government-owned cemetery in Rabat. The conditions and the procedure witnessed and reported on last week not only created health risks for the workers but caused pain for the bereaved.

Families attending the exhumation of their loved ones were shocked and angry at what they witnessed, as remains and clothing of the deceased were handled primitively and ended up in garbage bags.

The health minister has made a commitment to improving the service at the Addolorata Cemetery through a call for applications at the end of the month.

A private public partnership will be based on a concession agreement for the extension, restoration and management of the cemetery that will add another 2,800 graves. Work has to be completed within two and a half years of the agreement being signed.

The staff at the Addolorata cemetery, including the gravediggers who provide services at other government-owned cemeteries, will continue to be employed by the government. The agreement will only involve the Addolorata cemetery in Marsa, not the other government-owned cemeteries.

Once the agreement is signed, the contracted party will be expected to start implementing the agreed improvements over an agreed time frame.

caroline.muscat@timesofmalta.com