The Opposition is calling on the government to propose measures in the upcoming budget that tackle precarious work.

“The government should urgently tackle precarious work and take action in the budget following the shocking example of exploitation of workers at the Leisure Clothing plant,” civil rights spokeswoman Claudette Buttigieg told the media this afternoon.

Last week the press reported that Asian workers were being conned into accepting attractive jobs in Malta, only to end up working in appalling conditions for long hours in breach of the minimum employment standards.

Soon after, a director of the Chinese State-owned company was questioned by the police in relation to claims of human trafficking.

However there were other cases of precarious work in Malta, including in the construction industry, and the Opposition condemned all forms of slavery and human trafficking.

Nationalist MP Stephen Spiteri, addressing the same press call, said that the PN was not against foreign investment but against precarious work.

“What is the government going to do after the exposure of the Leisure Clothing exploitation and what measures is it going to take,” he asked.

There are whole families behind these people who are usually under age women and they should not be seen as mere numbers, the spokesman said.

Issues that should be tackled included the issuing of visas and work permits, remuneration offered to foreign workers, harsher scrutiny by the Employment and Training Corporation and union membership.

When asked about the new Gender Identity Bill, for which the government last week launched a public consultation, Ms Buttigieg said the party was still discussing it.