Alternattiva Demokratika has said that Worker’s Day should remind everyone of the inequalities and hardships faced by various categories of workers. The recent death of workers at construction sites is a tragic example of this, said AD, in a statement to mark the occasion.
At the same time, AD said it saluted the thousands of workers who have contributed to the development of Maltese society.
AD chairman Harry Vassallo said that “while the standard of living and workers’ rights in Malta have improved in the past decades, many workers face difficult situations in terms of unemployment, discrimination, exploitation, unsafe working conditions and harassment”.
Dr Vassallo added: “Women, older workers, unskilled workers, workers with special needs and foreign workers are more likely to be disadvantaged in terms of work conditions and payment. The same can be said about those who are working on a part-time or casual basis or on contract. Not all workers have the same rights that are enjoyed by others, especially by those who are union members. In this regard, AD says that many employers still deny union membership to their employees”.
Many women workers have the burden of a double shift, as they have to cope with housework and a full-time or part-time job. At the same time, he said, a sizeable number of people work long hours to cope with the standard of living, resulting in much stress.
“Many part-timers are denied certain rights of part-timers employed for 20 hours or more by being employed for less than 20 hours or, even worse, by splitting their job into two or three titles, yet working more than 20 hours, but being denied such rights in the process,” said Dr Vassallo.
“Health and safety measures in certain places of work, including construction sites, are abysmal, especially when workers are employed irregularly”.
Of EU states, Malta has the lowest employment rate, the lowest female employment rate, the lowest percentage of students in post-secondary education and one of the highest illiteracy rates. On the third anniversary of Malta’s EU membership, this should serve as food for thought.
“Unless proper measures are taken, it is unlikely that Malta will reach the Lisbon Strategy targets of a 60 per cent employment rate by 2010,” said Dr Vassallo.
He said that AD believes there is still much to be done to safeguard workers’ rights. This includes the need to ensure that the rights of workers are safeguarded by law, irrespective of their job status, further investment in education and training, the promotion of family-friendly work practices and a shift from taxation on labour to taxation on environmentally harmful and unsustainable practices and products.
“Together with the European Greens, AD is in favour of a European Social Model that is based on equality, sustainability, diversity, fairness, quality of life and anti-iscrimination,” Dr Vassallo concluded.