The executive director, SmartCity and board member of SmartCity Malta and SmartCity Kochi yesterday confirmed to this newspaper that where possible, and in accordance with the partnership with the government of Malta, Maltese citizens shall be employed at SmartCity Malta.
Fareed Abdulrahman issued the confirmation in light of recent statements made by Opposition Leader Alfred Sant and deputy leader Michael Falzon to the effect that only Maltese people should be employed at SmartCity. TMID contacted various IT firms which expressed concern at the declarations. Mr Abdulrahman said: “We can confirm that, according to the terms of the agreement reached with the government of Malta, SmartCity Malta undertakes to use its best endeavours so that where possible, and in accordance with our partnership with the government of Malta, Maltese citizens shall be employed at SmartCity Malta.”
He also said that SmartCity Malta has been making significant progress strategically and operationally. SmartCity Malta’s board of directors will again be meeting in early March to discuss marketing and further development strategies for the project. Operationally SmartCity Malta is also progressing with ongoing developments of SmartCity Malta’s sales office which is located on the project site, said Mr Abdulrahman.
An IT Ministry spokesman said: “Unfortunately, Labour’s recent comments on SmartCity prove that there statements on “supporting the project” are a classic exercise of paying lip service. The recent comments made are intended to sow doubts in people’s minds about what the project is all about and how it will be taking shape,” he said.
He continued: “It suffices to say that the MLP leader and deputy leader have both not even bothered to read the agreement which was entered into between the government, Tecom and SmartCity. Supposedly the MLP is ‘supporting the project’ but their statements show that they are not even familiar with the agreement they have voted for in Parliament.”
In fact Clause 12.2 of the agreement approved by Parliament says: The company undertakes to use its best endeavours so that where possible and in accordance with prevailing legislation, Maltese citizens shall be employed at the site. This is not to be construed as a direct or indirect barrier to the engagement of employees who do not possess Maltese citizenship and will not, in any manner, affect the obligations of government referred to in sub-article eleven point five (11.5).
The spokesman concluded: “The ministry believes that SmartCity needs a government that is really committed to the project and not one that plans to pay lip service if and when elected.”