Developers issue caution on foreign workers imported for large scale projects

Foreign workers employed in the construction industry should have the same rights and conditions enjoyed by Maltese, the Malta Developers Association said as it issued a cautionary note in the wake of reports that a foreign contractor will be importing thousands of Turkish workers.

The MDA insisted that these workers should be housed in adequate accommodation, while abiding to standards of "a modern European state". Accommodation should include adequate water, electricity and drainage services.

The MDA was reacting to news reports that Turkish construction firm Taca would be importing up to 5,000 Turkish workers and house them in makeshift camps after the company was engaged to work on several large scale projects.

​On Wednesday, the Planning Authority denied media reports claiming that Turkish construction workers employed for large scale construction projects, were expected to start living in a Mqabba quarry. 

“It is the duty of the Maltese regulatory authorities to ensure that foreign workers imported for specific jobs being carried out by foreign contractors are not subjected to unacceptable conditions that would also give an unfair advantage to foreign contractors at the expense of their own workers,” the MDA cautioned.

“Workers, of whatever nationality, employed in the construction industry in Malta should have the same rights and conditions, irrespective of whether they normally live in Malta or are in Malta for a short period of time during which some project is being developed,” the MDA said.

The association also appealed to the Finance Ministry to ensure that foreign contractors are subjected to the same level of taxation as the Maltese contractors.