The Malta Employers’ Association yesterday expressed concern about what it said were sweeping statements, during recent parliamentary sessions that were casting a negative image of employers in general. Among such statements were references to employers who were abusing part timers by not giving them pro rata benefits, or else by turning part time employment into self-employment.

The MEA said that, among the thousands of employers on the island, the vast majority offered decent conditions of work to their employees, even when faced with adverse market conditions. Any contention of abuse should be backed with relevant statistics to shed light on the extent of the problem, before spreading the perception that all employers exploited their employees.

There were also a number of unfair allegations being directed against particular sectors of the economy, such as the gaming sector, the MEA said. The gaming industry was generating hundreds of productive jobs in Malta, and the impression that the majority of these jobs were taken by foreigners was erroneous. In fact, the majority of people working in this sector were Maltese who were often benefiting from remuneration packages that were well above average.

“This is a high value added service which needs to be nurtured, and the fact that many companies are setting up operations in Malta is contributing to the current economic growth. Employees of foreign nationality are also generating positive spillover effects in various areas of economic activity such as the property market, entertainment and transport.”

The MEA added that, while it condemned any illegal practices by employers, responsible politicians should appreciate the contribution of employers to the generation of wealth and productive jobs through which the whole community benefited, and to be more specific when they found the need to point towards alleged abusive behaviour. A negative portrayal of employers would only have a harmful effect on business confidence and consequently threaten the livelihood of many.