It's that time of the year again. This week the government will be presenting the Budget in which it will disclose its financial plans and the measures it will be taking to address the problems this country is facing. Needless to say, analysts and critics at the moment are sitting on the edge of their seats waiting to comment and criticise what will be disclosed.

While such criticisms should not be ignored and are useful in a healthy democracy, they shouldn't be a means for the government or political parties to divert attention from other pressing issues that need our urgent attention and commitment. One of these issues is the problem of precarious employment.

Many of those who read or follow my weekly articles know how close to my heart this issue is, particularly because my position reflects the values that make me a socialist - the love of the working class. In this regard, at all costs I'm willing to work to give a voice and defend this class of people - the foundation of our economy and of our nation.

A lot of Maltese think that the problems of precarious employment, and that we sell off people as slaves, is beyond us. However, if we take a look around us we'll notice that this is not the case and that the situation is a lot different than what we think.

 

Marsa

If one goes down to the Marsa area every morning, it would be impossible not to notice the large numbers of people waiting for someone to stop and offer them work. No contracts, conditions and discussions take place and many times they're paid peanuts. What worries me most is that a few metres away there are members of the Malta Police Force who continue to redirect and manage traffic as if nothing is happening.

I may be wrong, but in my book protecting fundamental human rights is more important than redirecting traffic. Passing by and letting such a situation go unpunished is just not on. 

 

Leisure Clothing

Another case brought to our attention in the past few days was that of Leisure Clothing. From investigations carried out, it was established that a number of Chinese nationals were being exploited and paid a ridiculously low sum of money to work in the manufacturing company. Further investigations showed that some were being sold as sex workers or to take care of the elderly in privately owned homes.

How this went on for a number of years and is still going on is beyond me. What I know for sure is that this is unacceptable, particularly in light of the fact that as a small country we are in a much better position to control and prevent such activities taking place. 

 

Women

Even though I don't have the statistics at hand to back up any statements in this regard, it is a known fact that there are a number of women in Malta that are still being sold, used and exploited in the sex industry. If one drives around areas which are well known to the authorities, it would be impossible not to notice a number of women loitering in the streets for prostitution purposes. Along with these, one can also add and include those working in entertainment establishments.

I think that this industry, although many say that it's been present since the dawn of civilisation and cannot be controlled, is one where better enforcement of the law is required. It's shocking that we allow such things to take place without taking any action.

 

Contracts

Many times we also hear of contractors who pay miserly wages to their workers, who exploit or treat them appallingly. When these cases are reported by the media, the general public is shocked and everyone condemns such acts.

What's worse in my opinion is that these contractors are sometimes awarded public sector contracts. If it was up to me to decide, such bidders would be blocked from any tendering process and any existing contracts in place revoked.

I may be a radical, but from where I stand, no one should be able to conduct business in such a manner. Furthermore, in this regard, there is no punishment that is harsh enough for those who exploit people for their own gains - be they sexual, business or others.  

 

Conclusion

Our socialist values of defending the rights of the working class and those of the Nationalist Party (a party of Christian Democratic values) should be united on this issue. We cannot tolerate such atrocities to continue taking place on our island. We cannot let the interests of criminal business men override the fundamental human rights of people.

 

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