Two Labour MPs yesterday expressed concern over the working conditions of care-workers who are working with the elderly residing in government homes.

In a joint statement, Labour spokesperson for the Elderly Silvio Parnis and Labour spokesperson for Social Solidarity Marie-Louise Coleiro-Preca, stated that these care -workers were requested to work on a self-employed basis for Lm1.75 an hour without the benefit of sick leave, leave or off-days.

They said that some were working over 60 hours a week to make ends meet, especially since they had to fork out social contributions and other expenses that the self-employed have to pay.

The two Labour MPs appealed to the government to shoulder its responsibility and investigate the working conditions of these care-workers, to ensure that they receive adequate financial remuneration for the hours worked.

They said they condemned the government’s attitude in choosing work contracts without carefully scrutinising the working conditions in order to save money and responsibility.