GWU exposes abusive working conditions

The General Workers Union slammed the working conditions of workers employed by Gafa Saveways at the Karin Grech Rehabilitation Hospital.

The union explained that the employees were working for more than 48 hours every week, including Saturdays and Sundays but are only paid regularly for the first 30 hours.

The rest of the wages are paid in cash and despite working more than 40 hours per week, all workers are registered as part-timers, the GWU said.

GWU boss Tony Zarb called on the Industrial and Employment Relations to look into the matter and said that the unions demands an immediate response.

Leave, sick leave, bonuses and other benefits are based upon a 30-hour week, while the employees were asked to fork out €10 for a punch card, the union pointed out.

In recent weeks, Gafa Saveways was accused by the GWU of employing persons in precarious conditions in other places, accusations later rebutted by the cleaning company.

In today's statement the union said that employees are also being told by owner Dominic Gafa how they should answer questions posed by the Industrial and Employment Relations Department inspectors.

It added that Gafa himself was present during a number of interviews the inspectors held with his employees.

"Workers are afraid of telling the truth to the Employment department because they are continuously put under pressure and threatened," the union said.

The union said that while it will continue exposing precarious conditions, it added that Gafa Saveways and other companies had completely ignored warnings and "maintained the abusive practices."