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A meeting of the Social partners to discuss the issue of precarious employment is currently under way at the MCESD. The social partners will be making their own presentations on the subject.
The MCESD meeting today listened to four presentations compiled by members , which gave their views on the issue of precarious employment. The presentations were given by the GWU, the Malta Employers Association, the FORUM and the UHM.
The GWU proposed the setting up of a Commissioner to safeguard the quality of work. This Commissioner should have the right to investigate on working conditions, enforce legislation and scrutinise public tendering to ensure correct work practices. The incumbent would even be able to suggest the withdrawal of certain contracts of work. The GWU proposed also public procurement control to remove the clause which requires the lowest bidder to be awarded the contract. This would remove the pressure on tenderers to push down their prices through the manipulation of working conditions.
The MEA said that while the problem exists, statistics show that the perception os its existence is greater than the reality. It said that 55 of workers are employed on a definite contract in Malta. The MEA said that the problem should not be over emphasised and the legislative framework which exists should be retained and applied.
The UHM said that a distinction should be made between precarious work and illegal employment. The union said that precarious employment is normally applicable to all workers in that company. The UHM said that a common and agreed definition for precarious employment should be arrived at among the members of the MCESD
FORUM expressed the opinion that one of the problems causing precarious employment is the tendering process, which has caused a number of problems. The FORUM said that the issue had led to a decrease in both the number and the quality of employees, resulting in poor standards of service.
MCESD Chairman John Bencini suggested a discussion at a later sitting.
