The Employment and Training Corporation yesterday called on the public to snitch on people working illegally, assuring anonymity, and reported 1,797 cases of work abuse out of 3,077 inspections which it carried out.

The 3,077 inspections were made between January and October by the ETC Law Enforcement section, which interviewed 5,940 people after reports made on the hotline and through its inspectors. The abuses included undeclared work, people working but registering for employment, the employment of minors and foreigners working without a permit.

In all, 148 persons were found working though they registered for work. They were removed from the list of those seeking work and taken to court. They will be re-registered for employment after at least six months working. They can appeal their case – the ETC said that of 22 cases heard and decided, three were won by the appellants.

Other abuses included 14 minors found in employment, 1,049 working without declaring their work, and 272 persons in undeclared part-time employment. 307 foreigners were found doing undeclared work, with 165 of them coming from non-EU countries. ETC inspectors conducted 30 inspectors together with Immigration Police, and those found working without a permit were arrested and deported. Those employing them were taken to court.

In court, 300 cases going back some time were decided, with 219 pleading guilty and 81 contesting their case. The ETC won 55 of the cases contested. In all e23,477 were issued in administrative and court fines.

The ETC said abuses can be reported on freephone 8007-6501 24-hours a day. Reports may also be made via the Law Compliance link on the ETC site: www.etc.gov.mt.