Tiny muck-encrusted shower cubicles, grimy walls, leaky faucets and exposed wiring are an example of the many foul conditions found at the old barracks in Hal Far where Leisure Clothing’s hundreds of Asian employees are housed.

Magistrate Carol Peralta toured the facility during a pre-announced visit and was shown around by Leisure Clothing’s managing director, Bin Han.

Mr Bin has been charged with human trafficking, exploitation of his Chinese and Vietnamese employees and misappropriating their wages.

There was a marked contrast in some of the workers’ rooms shown to Dr Peralta and those seen by The Malta Independent when we wandered away from the places Leisure Clothing’s management wanted to be seen.

At no point was The Malta Independent stopped from entering any of these rooms or looking around freely.

Gym equipment which was previously locked up is now available for use in a common area.

A shiny new billiard table and first aid kits were seen in the common area. Mr Bin admitted to The Malta Independent that the billiard table was bought last month.

Sources told us that the first aid kits and the wireless internet connections have all sprung up after the story came to light in the media.

The sources said the barracks are much cleaner than they were last year, having clearly been prepared for the Magistrate’s visit.

“The place was so dirty a few months ago not even mice would have entered it,” the source said.

Mr Bin said employees are allowed to move in and out of the barracks freely. A gate was installed last year due to a spate of thefts, he said.

Employees who turn up once the gate has been locked are buzzed in by a security guard, he said.

Some rooms host two or three people, whereas others have bunks for up for six people. A few of the rooms with capacity for six people have air conditioning units.

Others don’t. Asked about this, Mr Han said workers living in the cramped rooms without an air conditioner are given a €10 subsidy.

One of these rooms has two fans, both of which look like they have been wired by a two-year-old.

“Don’t touch that, it’s dangerous,” Dr Peralta warned when we tried out one of these fans.

Most rooms have a tiny shower cubicle which would pose a challenge to even the most flexible gymnasts to move around in.

One of the shower cubicles seen by The Malta Independent had a gaping hole in it, affording no privacy at all to its users.

Photos affixed to the wall showing some of the workers on holidays paid for by the company were shown to Dr Peralta.

“These include the Vietnamese?,” Dr Peralta asked.

The glossy photos looked like they had been put up on the wall recently.

Dr Peralta saw the communal kitchen which looks to be clean and hygienic. A fire exit from the main building was also installed recently.

Asked why one of the ceiling fans seen in one of the rooms which was not shown to the magistrate was so dirty, a company representative said it was in that state because it has not been used since summer.

The ceiling fan in one of the rooms shown to Dr Peralta was sparkling white.

Many of the rooms clearly double up as kitchens and the smell of fried food was heavy in the air. The employees cook, eat, sleep and shower in these dingy rooms.

Some of the glossier areas shown to Dr Peralta below

The kitchen where food is prepared for all of the workers looks very clean.

This new TV screen stands out in contrast with the rest of the communal room.