The turbulence in the corridors of the Church continues to grow as more allegations are made. It seems that this is not exclusive to the clergy, as this has now spread to the labour market with accusations of human trafficking.
Why Government is taking so long to take cue from the various media reports to convene a full-blown enquiry, digging deep into the labyrinth of irregularities and illegalities is not making any sense. The rule of law and transparency dictates that Government should act rapidly. In the absence of this, many may think that an arm is being extended to protect the culprits rather than the victims. Alternatively, people may think that action cannot be taken because Government is in a fix and has its hands tied with the power generation company from China and so cannot rock the boat.
The various reports and footage have led employers and trade unions to issue strongly worded statements, albeit from two different perspectives, with stern condemnation. These statements should be taken with the weightiness they deserve by the other social partner - Government. These unequivocal statements chastising such inhumane working conditions should be supported by concrete actions from the Government.
Reports from labour-leaning quarters,have on various occasions reported that EU citizens are takingemployment opportunities from the Maltese. However, silence prevails in the case of the Asians working at Leisure Clothing.
It has been reported that Asians, mainly from China, are brought to our shores allegedly without visas. However, in exchange of under-the-table cash payments, visas were obtained.
Now that this tightly-sealed can of worms has been opened, no stone should be left unturned. The veteran investigative journalist Joe Mikallef from Medialink has unfolded what looks like an organised criminal activity, mostly related to human trafficking. Human trafficking is a highly illegal activity and is considered as slavery. Oddly, this revealing story was not brought to light by the newspaper owned by the GWU, a union actively involved in industrial relations and which, until some months ago, was at the very forefront of a staged campaign against precarious employment.
The majority of victims of human trafficking are of a tender age and come from rural or poor urban areas. Lack of job opportunities and a low level of education is the main pushing factor. As a result, they fall into the hands of the trafficking agents. Upon arrival to our shores, victims are very often left without their identification documents and are placed under the control of traffickers. If the victims resist cooperating, they are most likely threatened that they will be handed over to the authorities. Without personal documents, financial resources anda language barrier, they have no other choice but to cooperate.
Earning €600 a month, working excessive hours and living in over-crowded and sub-standard dormitories, are some of the despicable conditions of these poor Asians living in our midst. This is deplorable. The footage of the dormitories shows that one or more persons with authority to stop such blatant abuse must have turned a blind eye.
Though the applicable labour laws clearly state that workers from other countries working in Malta cannot be treated less favourable than the locals, this does not seem to be the case at Leisure Clothing.
It is very clear the inspectorate sections of the Department of Employment and Industrial Relations and other Authorities are not adequately manned. What is morally repugnant is not only the abusive business practice adopted at this Company, but the silence of those who are duty-bound to provide the necessary safeguards to workers.
During the past decade, Malta has successfully restructured its manufacturing industry and attracted new employment opportunities with better conditions of work and higher salaries in more value-added companies while low-skilled employment companies gradually moved out to other countries where the labour cost is relatively low. During that process, Malta has lost its competitive edge in the textile and garments sector as Malta moved to a more lucrative employment bracket.
While officials from unions, representatives from employers' bodies, inspectorate personnel from the Department of Employment and Industrial Relations debated what in their opinion constitutes precarious employment, workers from Asia were, and still are, in broad daylight working in a sweatshop right under our noses. The union which is actively involved in industrial relations, and which up till some months ago staged a campaign against precarious employment, must have missed this one by a mile. At times it may be convenient for authorities to choose what initially may seem like the easy way out. This often misfires badly.
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