AD is concerned that the issuing of development permits left right and centre by the Planning Authority has led to several issues, including the need to “import” construction workers. We appreciate the fact that the Government is saying that it will ensure, at the very least least, minimum employment conditions for these workers, but this is not enough. It is also clear that advances in education has led to a drastic reduction of unskilled or semi-skilled workers in the construction industry. Government should take this opportunity to cut the construction industry down to size through policies restraining the excesses of this industry and reduce the economic dependence of the country on it.
AD Chairperson Carmel Cacopardo added:”It is clear what is happening. The db Group, for example, after being acquiring public land from Government for a pittance, is now doing its utmost to minimise the cost of construction to further increase its profits to the maximum possible.”
Anna Azzopardi, spokesperson on social affairs said: “As a European country, the Maltese Government should ensure that all workers in Malta have access to appropriate and dignified living conditions. Indeed, in Malta it has now become common for flats to be crammed with tenants. There is an urgent need for standards on multiple occupancy of residential units. The reality is that the minimum wage and also the median wage are not keeping up with runaway rental prices. It makes no sense to bring foreign workers on the minimum wage to Malta when not even resident workers and Maltese workers who do not own a property can afford to pay for decent housing.”
“We are in a situation that condones and allows foreign workers to live in sub-standard conditions. This is not acceptable in a modern society. It is also another reason to urgently reevaluate the minimum wage. The minimum wage should be a living wage.”
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Il-Gvern għandu jrażżan l-industrija tal-kostruzzjoni
AD hija preokkupata illi l-eċċessi fil-ħruġ tal-permessi ta’ żvilupp mill-Awtorita’ tal-Ippjanar qed iwassalu għal diversi problemi addizzjonali fosthom li qed ikollhom jiġu “impurtati” diversi ħaddiema. Napprezzaw il-fatt li l-Gvern qed jassigura, tal-anqas, il-kundizzjonijiet minimi ta’ mpjieg għal dawn il-ħaddiema, iżda dan mhux biżżejjed. Nifmhu wkoll li bl-avvanzi fl-edukazzjoni n-numru ta’ ħaddiema fl-industrija tal-kostruzzjoni, speċjalment dawk b’ħiliet bażiċi, qed jonqsu. Għaldaqstant il-Gvern bil-politika tiegħu għandu jieħu l-okkażjoni biex irażżan l-eċċessi ta’ din l-industrija u jnaqqas d-dipendenza ekonomika tal-pajjiż fuqha.
Dan qalu ċ-Chairperson ta’ AD, Carmel Cacopardo. “Huwa ċar x’qed jiġri. Id-db, per eżempju, wara li ħadu art pubblika bil-karawett, issa jridu jnaqqsu kemm jistgħu l-ispiza tal-kostruzzjoni u b’hekk ikabbru l-profitti.”
Anna Azzopardi, kelliema dwar il-qasam soċjali qalet:”Bħala pajjiż Ewropew, l-Gvern Malti għandu jassigura li kull ħaddiem f’Malta jgħix f’kundizzjonixierqa u dinjitużi. Fil-verità, f’Malta minn xi żmien daħlet id-drawwa illi f’appartamenti jgħixu iktar nies milli huwa umanament diċenti. Hemm bżonn urġenti ta’ standards dwar ‘multiple occupancy’ ta’ postijiet residenzjali. Ir-realta’ ukoll hija li b’paga minima u anke b’paga medja l-prezzijiet tal-kirjiet mhux affordabbli. Ma jagħmilx sens li jinġabu ħaddiema barranin b’paga minima meta lanqas ħaddiema residenti Malta, inkluż il-Maltin li m’għandhomx propjeta’, ma jifilħu iħallsu għal akkomodazzjoni diċenti.”
“Qegħdin f’sitwazzjoni li tiskuża u tippermetti li jiġu mħaddma nies barranin b’kundizzjonijiet mhux diċenti. Mhuwiex aċċettabbli li soċjetà moderna tippermetti li jitħaddnu prattiċi li jistghu jkun ikkunsidrati bhala skjavitu modern. Din hija raġuni oħra għaliex huwa importanti li tiġi eżaminatha b’mod urġenti l-paga minima kif ilha tinsisti Alternattiva Demokratika. Il-paga minima għandha tkun verament living wage.”
