The General Workers' Union (GWU) is strengthening its presence among workers in Malta's courier sector following verification exercises carried out by the Department for Industrial and Employment Relations (DIER) in connection with the union's requests for sole recognition at Ferruggia Fleet Ltd. and JSA Consultants Ltd.

In a statement, the GWU said that the requests, which exclude senior management, form part of the union's wider efforts to extend trade union representation to more courier and platform workers and provide greater protection for their employment rights and working conditions.

Secretary of the GWU's Hospitality and Food Section Brian Bonnici welcomed the development, saying the growing number of couriers joining the union reflected increased recognition of the role trade unions can play in protecting workers.

Bonnici said the section was building on work initiated by his predecessor, Kevin Abela, who helped organise the first courier workers within the GWU. He said he hoped the latest development would lead to further recognition agreements across the sector.

According to Bonnici, the union's efforts are not aimed solely at increasing membership but also at providing protection and support to workers, many of whom are third-country nationals (TCNs), and addressing concerns over potential exploitation.

He also urged couriers who remain without trade union representation to approach the GWU and join the union. Bonnici said some companies continued to resist attempts by workers to unionise and obtain collective representation.

The GWU said its work in the sector began under Abela, now the union's Deputy Secretary General, and subsequently led to an agreement involving groups of companies operating in the courier sector.

The union said it would continue working to extend collective representation among couriers and ensure that workers, regardless of nationality, have access to fair and dignified working conditions and protection against exploitation.