The Water Services Corporation hired over 220 people in the run-up to the 2017 general elections, a Parliamentary Question has revealed.

PN MP Jason Azzopardi asked Energy Minister Joe Mizzi to list the dates of employment of every new worker employed with the Water Services Corporation between 1 March 2017 and 3 June 2017.

The response revealed there to be 222 persons employed in that period. 178 of these persons are listed as 'Multi skilled Fitter 3', while the rest are Industrial Electronics Technicians, Electricians, Laboratory Electricians, Draughtspersons, Senior Enforcement Inspectors Auto Mechanics, Debt Collectors, Ushers and operatives.

The Minister in their reply, said that the employment of these workers is in conformity with "circular number 8/2017, issued by the Principal Permanent Secretary."

The circular in question refers to recruitment, promotions and other action concerning public officers and employees in Parastatal Organisations and in companies with a government interest. "Parliament has been dissolved on 1 May 2017 and the General Election will be held on 3 June 2017. The Prime Minister has instructed me to convey the government's decision that as from today until a new Cabinet is formed following the general election, no new processes of recruitment, appointments, promotions or other changes affecting the conditions of service of staff should be initiated. However, processes already underway should of course be brought to a conclusion. Exceptional circumstances, where an urgent replacement is required, will be considered on a case by case basis by the Monitoring Committee set up for the purpose."

The circular is dated 2 May. The number of employees brought on after 2 May is around 60, meaning that a large number of persons were employed in the run-up to Parliament's dissolution.