The Chinese ambassador has denied every receiving 'gifts' from the Chinese-owned company Leisure Clothing.

Reports published in the PN's paper In-Nazzjon alleged that a number of officials from various authorities received 'gifts' from the company in order to turn a blind eye on the exploitation of Asian workers. It also said that the Chinese ambassador was aware of the exploitation of Chinese workers.

 "The allegation of the said newspaper is unfounded, nor was the Embassy aware of any so-called wrongdoing at the company.

"The ambassador has never received any gifts from the company," a spokesperson for the ambassador said.

The factory was raided by the Police on Wednesday and its director Bin Han taken in for questioning.

In Nazzjon's reports also say that General Workers Union, which represents Maltese workers at the factory, knew that the Asian workers were being forced to work overtime to the detriment of Maltese workers, but the Union did not take any action.

I never received any gifts from the company - Tony Zarb

Contacted by The Malta Independent, GWU secretary general Tony Zarb denied ever having received any gifts from the company.

"No, never. You should be asking people from the previous government this question," he said.

Mr Zarb refused to elaborate and name the people who received such gifts.

Mr Zarb said the GWU has had a meeting with Leisure Clothing's management. He said there has been a lot of speculation on the case in the media, but the GWU will not be commenting until it has concluded its own investigations.

Speaking during a press conference yesterday, PN MP Jason Azzopardi said political pressure was applied on the police in order for them to drop the investigation into Leisure Clothing.

Asked whether such pressure was applied under a PN government during a 2007 investigation into abusive practices by the company, Dr Azzopardi said this was not the case.

"There are serious allegations that political pressure was applied to the police to halt the investigations into Leisure Clothing.

"The difference between this investigation and the 2007 investigation is that the 2007 investigation was not stopped, it resulted in the negative and no illegalities were found. There is a big difference between an investigation taking place and no wrongdoing being found, and an investigation being started and then stopped," Dr Azzopardi said.

In a statement, the Union Ħaddiema Maghqudin condemned all types of worker exploitation.

"What we are seeing and hearing in this scandalous case at the Leisure Clothing factory is a classic case of precarious working conditions. The UHM hopes that all Unions unite in condemning what is happening in this factory," UĦM secretary general Josef Vella said.

 The Malta Chamber of Commerce said it welcomes action taken by the authorities against worker exploitation and outright infringement of national labour laws.

In a statement, the Chamber said it maintains that the rights of workers, irrespective of their nationality, must be safeguarded, in their interest and in the interest of the common good.

"The Malta Chamber condemns this recently exposed case of abuse as it fears it might tarnish the reputation of the local manufacturing industry as well as business in general."

"The Malta Chamber also praises the efforts of the media, which were instrumental in bringing this case to light," the statement said.