AD calls on government to tackle precarious jobs

Speaking at a press conference in Valletta, Alternattive Demokratika chairperson Arnold Cassola said that despite the government taking initiatives to eradicate precarious employment, inequality and injustices still existed in some sectors.

Citing examples of public transport drivers who earn €5 per hour and other jobs such as cleaners, security personnel and clerks who receive less than that rate, Cassola said that the country needed more concrete action to combat the situation.

Cassola also hit out at MEPA for its ‘scandalous’ decision to exempt certain venues from having facilities for the physically disabled, as part of the Authority’s new policies announced this week.

“This will make it even more difficult with people with a disability to be offered a job,” he said.

Meanwhile Ralph Cassar, AD spokesperson on industry, energy and transport, said that there were many examples of workers employed by contracting companies who do the same work as those employed directly by an institution but have drastically different conditions of work and are paid considerably less.

“These include school and hospital clerks and cleaners,” he said.

Cassar said that he knew of personal cases where persons had their 40-hour work week spread over six days and get paid at the rate of ’miserly’ rates.