In a pre-Budget meeting with UħM Voice of the Workers in the Berga of Castile, Prime Minister Robert Abela announced that in the last few days, the Cabinet approved a legislative framework that should regulate what is known as platform work .
Details about a set of new more robust rules will be given by the government in the coming days but in the meeting with the UħM, the prime minister explained the principles of this framework, among which they regulate the contract of work and that the salary cannot be less than the minimum wage among other rights such as overtime and sick leave.
In this context the Prime Minister Robert Abela stressed the need for courage in making decisions after a survey organized and structured by the authorities, in the case of platform work, by the Department for Industrial Relations and Employment.
In the discussions with the union before the Budget, Dr Abela stressed the need for our country to continue to attract investment and here he asked for the collaboration of the social partners so that we can continue to attract investment to Malta with which we can ensure a strong income for – the government and with that income, the government continues to support the help it is giving in the face of extraordinary challenges.
“No country is helping as much as the Maltese Government is helping the people, including in the field of energy and in the import of cereals”, stressed the Prime Minister Robert Abela while also saying that the Budget which next it must be one of sustainability and stability.
Dr. Abela also emphasized the importance of social dialogue and explained how the next Budget will be the first out of five for the government to implement the electoral manifesto that it has a mandate from the people.
For his part, the CEO of UħM Josef Vella passed a number of proposals to the government and stressed on a common goal for the government and the unions, that of improving the working conditions of the workers.
Here he welcomed with satisfaction what the prime minister had just announced on the platform workers, which workers in this sector are providing a service that was seen and remained constant even after the pandemic.
Mr Vella also explained that the cost of living allowance (COLA) should not be treated as part of a wage increase that the unions negotiate in collective agreements.
The Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Health Chris Fearne, Minister Clyde Caruana and Minister Michael Falzon, Parliamentary Secretary Andy Ellul, Government Deputy Amanda Spiteri Grech were also present at this meeting. , and the Head of the Secretariat in the Office of the Prime Minister Glenn Micallef.
