MP warns of rampant nepotism at Water Services Corporation

The Water Services Corporation resembles a “family business”, with nepotism rampant, shadow energy minister Marthese Portelli warned.

“Some people have employed their spouses, others have employed their siblings, and others have employed their children,” she said in her parliamentary adjournment.

She said that WSC employees have informed her that inexperienced people are being hired and promoted recklessly.

“Some unclear positions have been created, and while some workers do practically nothing, others are doing the work of two employees,” she said.

She demanded answers from Prime Minister Joseph Muscat and minister Konrad Mizzi, arguing that WSC employees are still being told to relay their complaints to the former energy minister’s customer care officials.

Portelli said that the WSC has employed at least 150 new people in the past three years, and called on government to provide an exact figure.

“I tabled a parliamentary question on how many workers are employed at the WSC over a year ago, and the government has yet to give an answer,” she said.

She also had harsh words for WSC chairman William Wait, who was until a few months ago the corporation’s executive chairperson.

Last year, Mizzi refused to divulge information on Wait’s salary as executive chairman, simply saying that it was that of its previous chairman and CEO combined.

The role of chairman and CEO was split again earlier this year – with Wait staying on as chairman and landing another top job as executive chairman at Projects Malta.

“This shows that the position of WSC executive chairperson was set up simply to give [Wait] a cushy job,” Portelli said.