Nationalist MP Claudio Grech told The Malta Independent on his behalf, that he does not agree with proposal by MEA for the first day of sick to be unpaid. The Nationalist's Party shadow minister for Economic Affairs and Competitiveness, Claudio Grech, said that this kind of proposal is detracting to the whole economic model and what it stands for. The Nationalist Party is still to discuss the issue.
The issue for the first day of unpaid sick leave to be unpaid was introduced by the Malta Employers Association proposed, last week. In their proposals for the budget, the MEA said many companies are concerned about the increased incidence of sick leave – in particular sporadic sick leave linked to weekends.
"You cannot address issues by diluting the social and health factors of employees. Just because there is a pattern of when people call sick in the week, and therefore propose unpaid sick to all. It's not the solution" Grech said.
Grech added, "It's just throwing the baby out with the water". He also spoke about ensuring the employees had the right incentives for support in order to reduce such abuse. Whilst mentioning also that if there is abusive, employers have the extensive rights on how they can detect this abuse and control it. "So I don't think moving with this draconian measure, which in affect could be detrimental for other workers i.e. in regards to sickness and contagious illnesses that could spread because of such a measure, is worth it".
The MEA proposal had received much backlash from the Unions, with the 'Il-Forum Unions Maltin' stressing that every sick leave that is given with a doctor's certificate is genuine and therefore there shouldn't even be a discussion on this type of sick leave. On the other hand, the Union had said that they are against any type of abuse and are ready to collaborate with whoever is ready to stop this abuse at the work place.
The Malta Union of Teachers (MUT), also disagreed with the proposal saying "the first day of sick leave should be unpaid and treated as a waiting day". They had said that it was, unacceptable that such regressive measures are even proposed and discussed in this day and age, especially when the country is passing through a positive economic period and following electoral campaigns in which everything was promised to everyone. The MUT stressed that instead the Government is to implement Public Holidays falling on weekend at once.
Furthermore the UHM Voice of the Workers had said they were categorically against the proposal issued by MEA. Josef Vella, Directive leader of UHM, responded that the union will never accept this situation. The Union did not accept any conditions of sick leave to change in regard to this because this goes against the rights of the worker, saying it was "illegal".
Prime Minister Joseph Muscat had also joined the chorus of disapproval over a proposal from employers for the first day of sick leave not to be paid, deeming it a "a non-starter".
from The Malta Independent http://ift.tt/2vv0whY
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