Malta Public Transport has rejected allegations of opting to employ cheap foreign labour rather than Maltese drivers.

In a statement, it said it employed drivers from other countries simply because there was not a sufficient number of drivers in Malta to cover all the transportation needs of the country.

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AD transport spokesman Ralph Cassar said on Saturday it had come to light that MPT was resorting to importing drivers from Pakistan to be able to continue with a "cheap labour" policy.

MPT said on Thursday, the remuneration of its employees was governed by a collective agreement signed in 2016 between the company and the UĦM Voice of the Workers, which represented all employees. Through the collective agreement, bus drivers were benefitting from an increase in their salary of more than 20 per cent over a five-year period starting in 2016.

MPT said the 1,000 professional bus drivers that are employed with the company were paid depending on the experience they had with their bus driving licence. Their remuneration was also dependent on their choice of shift, with bus drivers working a 48-hour week earning more than those on a 40-hour week.

In 2017, the majority of bus drivers earned between €15,000 and €25,000. All enjoyed additional benefits including free health insurance and free unlimited travel on all buses for them and their direct family.

These conditions were offered to all employees, irrespective of their country of origin.

Therefore, any allegations of “cheap labour” just fabrications aimed at creating dissent among employees.

The company maintained that it was an equal-opportunities employer and welcomed all who shared its values to become part of its team, as long as they met its stringent safety and job requirements. MPT employs more than 1,300 people from 38 countries.