The government must confront the abuse which workers who work with private agencies under government contracts are exposed to.

The conditions under which many of these workers are employed are shameful. The major problems facing these workers range from long working hours with less pay than the national minimum wage, no right to sick leave, leave and bonuses, as well as the vast majority are employed under work contracts that make it easier for employers to terminate their employment.

The fact that an employee who works under a contract of employment, or temporary agency work or on a part-time basis finds it difficult to borrow from banks is a clear indication of what precariousness means. Banks lend against securities, and so the worker must have secure and regular employment.

The flexibility within the labour market is only a tool for exploitation, and every neo-liberal dogma which states that employment security is a thing of the “past” must be confronted. That “past” is only the slavery that existed long ago.

The Communist Party urges workers who are employed under precarious conditions to join a trade union and to merge with the Socialist family, together in solidarity, to stop this capitalist neo-liberal assault against workers’ rights and which is leading to a lowering in the standard of living of the working class.

Victor Degiovanni

Secretary

Communist Party of Malta