Malta has made great strides forward when it comes to workers' rights and working conditions, however the world is changing rapidly and social protection laws are not keeping up, the Alternattiva Demokratika has said.
"The neoliberal economy is moving ahead at breakneck speed without adequate regard to the plight and quality of life of workers", said AD Deputy Chairperson Mario Mallia on the occasion of Workers' Day.
"The demand for workers is increasing rapidly, so much so that foreign labour is being imported to fill up vacancies. There are clear signs that the gains in workers' rights are being eroded in a bid to keep up with an economic vision of growth at all costs. It is a fact that many workers choosing to work in Malta, end up leaving due to exorbitant rents. This is leading to a situation where many foreign workers live in crowded conditions, and even in garages. There are also indications of workers who left their countries to avoid poverty ending up exploited for poor wages here in Malta. This is unacceptable."
AD spokesperson on Social Dialogue and Equality, Anna Azzopardi added: "An economy which grows on the backs of vulnerable workers is not something to be proud of. The Dubai model mentioned frequently by the Prime Minister is precisely what our country should avoid; an unsustainable, runaway economic built at the expense of workers from third world countries."
"We Greens urge the trade union movement to keep up with the changing realities of the economy and increase its invaluable work in order to meet the needs of so many workers, especially those in certain sectors who are being exploited daily. We also urge the government to strengthen the state's supervisory agencies including those on health and safety."
"We are also concerned that, in order for people to be able to take out a mortgage, they must earn at least 20,000 Euro a year. Given that this is slightly higher than the average gross income of workers in Malta, it is patently obvious that many people are facing huge difficulties. Most people earn wages which are not enough for a good quality of life."
"AD insists that economic growth cannot be the only measure of progress. We insist that the economy should be at the service of social justice and environmental sustainability, and not the other way round. On Workers Day we insist on an economy which respects and offers a good quality of life to workers, the people who literally make the economy tick. We insist on an economy for the many and not the few", concluded Azzopardi.
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