For the first time, after more than seventy years, the labour laws or as they are better known, the Wage Regulation Orders, will undergo a complete and continuous reform so that workers in various work sectors can enjoy improvements in quality of life.
This was announced during a news conference during which the Parliamentary Secretary for Social Dialogue Andy Ellul gave details about a reform that was triggered last year and that now, over sixty labor laws will begin to be updated to reflect r -modern realities of the labor market.
Parliamentary Secretary Ellul explained that this reform will lead to uniformity and improvement in the working conditions of a number of workers in sectors regulated by these laws, including workers in the hospitality, transport, electronics, handicrafts, construction and other industries.
He also announced the establishment of a Permanent Committee, and explained, “A permanent framework will be created so that we do not stop after we have made the necessary changes immediately, but to have a continuous update of these laws to sustain in a way seriously the quality of life of the workers who fall under these laws.”
Parliamentary Secretary Ellul explained that this commitment will be a continuous one to ensure that Malta is a country of quality, with quality workers and with excellent working conditions. He claimed that the Government remains committed to improving the quality of life of the worker because it wants to continue to encourage bravery and reward dedication.
“It is precisely for this reason that this Permanent Committee was created, which will be given all the necessary resources in order to perform its functions in the best way. This is a bold step that has never been taken in the field of industrial law in our country,” repeated the Parliamentary Secretary.
Parliamentary Secretary Ellul also explained that every recommendation will be discussed with the social partners in the Employment Relations Board before there is any form of implementation, and this is to ensure that every decision is made in agreement with the social partners.
“The aim of this reform is to have fair laws for everyone, to reduce inequalities between one sector and another and to create conditions that ensure dignity and respect for the worker. In order to ensure that the existing working conditions offered by these laws are respected, the administrative hand of the Department for Industrial Relations and Employment will continue to be strengthened, especially when it comes to enforcement,” the Parliamentary Secretary continued to explain.
He emphasized on the need for an open and continuous dialogue with the social partners, and said that it is through the dialogue that they can make changes for the welfare of the workers, changes that ensure an improvement in the quality of life. For this purpose, a process of consultation with both workers and employers will be triggered. Social dialogue is a tool that can lead to concrete changes like what happened when the law was introduced that regulates the digital platform worker, the temping agencies and with the signing of the most powerful historical agreement, that of increase in the National Minimum Wage.
“This improvement is all a testimony to how much this Government believes in the rights of the workers, believes in the aspirations of the workers and believes that a country is only as strong as its workers,” he concluded. says Parliamentary Secretary Andy Ellul.
Photo: OPM_PS
