Secretary General of the General Workers' Union, Josef Bugeja said that only collective bargaining and mandatory union membership can stop the systemic abuse faced by both foreign and local workers.

From the exploitation of platform workers to the call for a more equitable labour market, Bugeja spoke to The Malta Independent on Sunday and laid out an urgent case for stronger union representation and legislative reform in the face of evolving worker needs.

The GWU's proposal for mandatory union membership has raised concerns over freedom of association among several.

Bugeja said that the proposal allowed workers to choose any union of their liking and included an opt-out mechanism.

Bugeja said that the role of a trade union is defined as an organisation led by workers, for workers, and pushing forward workers' aspirations. He said that collective bargaining is done solely by trade unions.

He spoke of widespread abuse at workplaces, and said that enforcement cannot keep up, and unionised workplaces have far better conditions.

Bugeja said that the EU's Adequate Minimum Wage Directive calls for 80% of workers to be covered by collective bargaining, adding that the EU has recognised the importance of increased collective bargaining.

Especially in sectors like finance and insurance, where the gender pay gap is the largest of all sectors in the country, rising to 14%, he said

"In heavily unionised sectors, that gap doesn't exist. Laws and obligations are respected," Bugeja said.

He addressed the issue of "free riders" and said that even non-members of a union benefit from collective agreements, rightly so, as Bugeja said that the GWU negotiates collective agreements for all workers in that sector.

However, he questioned which organisation provides services for free, and said that the GWU wants everyone to contribute, either through membership or a payroll levy.

A new image for trade unions

Bugeja said that the perception that unions only appear or get involved during industrial actions must be changed.

He described ongoing consultations, including how US tariffs could impact Maltese workers.

Bugeja stressed that unionism today is collaborative, not confrontational, and that "given the exploitation we see, organising in a union is reasonable".

He cited cases of long working hours, unpaid contributions, lack of safety gear, and even fabricated injury claims to avoid employer liability.

"Even Maltese workers suffer. This is why we want mandatory membership, with opt-out flexibility," Bugeja said.

Bugeja said many TCN communities engage with the GWU and express their fear of retaliation from their employers.

"Some arrive with family debts tied to their travel. They are scared to speak up," Bugeja said.

He dismissed fears that total anarchy would ensue, noting that when unions for disciplined forces were first introduced, conditions actually improved and nothing fell apart.

Bugeja said that union membership is growing and changing and nowadays, many Maltese workers of all genders and ages, European workers, also TCN workers, are members of a union.

He said that more women are joining the GWU than males, and 7,000 to 8,000 TCNs are also members and representatives.

The GWU even partnered with Italy's largest union to support Italian workers in Malta, Bugeja said.

"Our members and representatives are a reflection of the existing workforce," Bugeja said.

Bugeja said that workers' aspirations are constantly evolving and differ between professions.

For professionals, flexibility and work-life balance are key concerns, particularly the expectation to always be available, Bugeja said.

Meanwhile, lower-income workers are focused on earning more, seeking better pay to match the cost of living and social mobility, he said.

Platform workers, who previously had no rights, have now been granted official worker status, though implementation remains a problem.

"One of the roles of unions is to ensure what's in the law and collective agreements is implemented," Bugeja said.

He said that out of 82 companies that employ such workers, 29 companies have been brought before the Courts for failing to follow regulations regarding platform workers.

Some employers have deducted fuel and safety gear costs from wages and cited rampant increase in abuse, especially on TCNs.

"That's why we're proposing mandatory union membership. It's a form of self-policing to prevent abuse," he added.

Bugeja also noted increased anxiety among workers in the gaming industry and said that ultimately, all workers aspire for a better tomorrow.

Foreign workers: progress and gaps

Asked about the new government regulations for hiring foreign workers, Bugeja said improvements were made, but more remains to be done.

"We couldn't even say they were workers before. They lacked basic health and safety protections," he said.

The new directive, set to come into force next year, officially recognises platform workers as employees, entitled to collective bargaining and employer responsibilities, Bugeja said.

However, some employers are circumventing the law, and while many of these workers were receiving their minimum wage, other costs, such as fuel or for protective gear, had been reduced from their wage, Bugeja said.

He said that the GWU consequently held discussions with the director at the Department for Industrial and Employment Relations (DIER) and pursued legal action to ensure rights are upheld.

"Some workers were promised €1,000 salaries, only to find they must work 12 hours daily, seven days a week. That is illegal and harmful to their health," Bugeja said.

He criticised the need for constant enforcement: "We should not need enforcement if everyone obeys the law. Employers must be held to the same standards as workers," he said.

The second part of the interview will be carried tomorrow