Minister for Infrastructure, Planning and Employment Jonathan Attard, Minister for Sustainable Mobility Chris Bonett, and Minister for European Funds, Social Dialogue and Consumer Protection Keith Azzopardi presided over the signing of a Collective Agreement between the General Workers’ Union (GWU) and the Malta Delivery Fleet Operators Association (MDFOA) which marks a historic step for workers in the food courier sector in Malta and Gozo.
This agreement establishes a clear framework of rights and obligations that strengthens the protection of workers, while offering greater certainty and stability to operators in the sector.
Minister Attard said that, “This is a very important development for the food courier sector where not only are we ensuring that there is an improvement in the conditions of all workers, but one also hopes that this development will now spread throughout the sector to ensure that there is a level playing field and that there is no situation where those who respect the conditions of workers are disadvantaged in the sector.”
The agreement also strengthens worker representation through the trade union and promotes constructive social dialogue between all parties involved. This is an important step towards greater professionalism, transparency and sustainability in the sector, while ensuring fairer working conditions and fair competition among operators.
Minister Azzopardi Tanti said that “This agreement is evidence of great maturity. We are introducing modern governance structures that guarantee transparency and mutual trust. This is the way forward that this Government believes in, a forward-looking economy where in order to move forward as a nation, we must move forward together.”
Among the key measures are the introduction of a basic rate higher than the national minimum wage, as well as provisions relating to working hours, overtime pay, sick leave, vacation leave, statutory bonuses and stronger occupational health and safety standards.
Minister Bonett said, “This is a win-win agreement. The worker wins, who is given better conditions and more protection, and the employer also wins, who makes an investment and takes a risk. This is an important agreement that will open the door to more similar agreements, while creating more certainty and benefits for workers, operators and consumers.”
This agreement reflects the shared commitment to continue improving labour standards and for the food delivery sector to continue to grow on a sustainable basis, for the benefit of workers, operators and the Maltese economy.
President of the Malta Delivery Fleet Operators Association (MDFOA), Mr. Iousef Meli, said that this agreement places workers at the centre of everything.
“We look forward to continuing to work hand in hand with the unions, the Government and the entities that will be concerned in our sector”, added Mr Meli.
The Deputy Secretary General of the GWU, Mr. Kevin Abela, said that the signing of this agreement is an important step after many months of negotiations and challenges that had to be faced.
“These workers who were always in the shadows and never came to the forefront of the discussion will now finally get what they deserve,” concluded Mr. Abela.
Also present for the signing were the General Secretary of the GWU, Mr Kevin Camilleri, the President of the GWU, Jason Deguara, the Secretary of the Hospitality and Food Section within the GWU, Brian Bonnici, the Assistant Secretary of the Section, Johann Spiteri and the Coordinator of TCNs within the GWU, Manav Sanger.
Photos: MIPE/MSM/MFDC
