Cabinet has approved a legislative framework that will regulate what is known as platform work, Prime Minister Robert Abela announced in a pre-Budget meeting with the UHM Voice of the Workers.

Details about a set of new robust rules will be given by the government in the coming days but in the meeting with the UHM, Abela explained the principles of this framework, saying that the new framework will regulate the contract of work and sets the salary starting from minimum wage, along with other rights such as overtime and sick leave.

In this context, Abela stressed the need for courage in making decisions after a survey organized and structured by the authorities for platform work, by the Department for Industrial Relations and Employment.

During the pre-budget discussion with the union, Abela said that Malta needs to continue attracting investment and that is why he asked for the collaboration of the social partners so that the income coming from this sector can be a strong one.

"No country is helping its people as much as the Maltese Government is, including in the energy and in the importation of cereals," said the Prime Minister.

For his part, the CEO of UHM Josef Vella passed a number of proposals to the government and said that a common goal for the government and the unions is to improve the working conditions of the workers.

Vella also said that the cost of living allowance (COLA) should not be treated as part of a wage increase that the unions negotiate in collective agreements.

The Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Health Chris Fearne, Minister Clyde Caruana and Minister Michael Falzon, Parliamentary Secretary Andy Ellul, Government Deputy Amanda Spiteri Grech were also present at this meeting, as was the Head of the Secretariat in the Office of the Prime Minister Glenn Micallef.