Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1475799
3 maltatoday | WEDNESDAY • 10 AUGUST 2022 NEWS KURT SANSONE FOOD couriers should be afford- ed more protection through a wage regulation order, the Malta Employ- ers' Association is suggesting in its Budget 2023 proposals. The MEA said many third country nationals operating in this sector were doing so in an unregulated manner after government changed the rules to allow non-EU nationals to become self-employed during the pandemic. "It is being suggested to set up a committee within the Employment Relations Board to address the situa- tion and design a wage regulation or- der for this sector that seeks a balance between the welfare of the food de- liverers, the companies providing the service and clients," the MEA said. The issue of compensation to food couriers was recently cast in the spot- light after Bolt couriers went on strike amid claims that up to half of their earnings go to employment agencies, while the food delivery platform kept lowering delivery rates. The company said it never formally received requests to discuss the issues from its couriers, while social activists described the sit- uation as modern slavery. The MEA said in its budget propos- als that it will continue to speak up against abuses in the labour market, irrespective of whether these were perpetrated by employers or employ- ees. The employer organisation also called for a reality check in the wake of global shocks, particularly the war in Ukraine, which it said "plunged the global community into uncertainty, shortages and fear of an escalating and drawn-out conflict". Within this context, MEA is calling for more judicious public spending: "The current strain on public financ- es calls for a rationalisation of ex- penditure to bring the deficit to man- ageable and sustainable levels." It called for "airy fairy projects" like the Gozo tunnel and the metro to be shelved in favour of more pressing infrastructural priorities such as the distribution system of electricity, in- frastructure for electric vehicles and changes to outdated sewage systems in parts of Malta. MEA is also calling for better gov- ernance and full disclosure of govern- ment contracts, and expenditures on specific projects. "Fiscal morality also entails judicious expenditure of pub- lic funds. It is high time that govern- ment seeks to enforce the debit aspect of fiscal morality and seriously clamps down on any wastage of public funds and abuse of social benefits, particu- larly ensuring that tax-payers' funds are used diligently and not squan- dered on inefficient recipients." The MEA is also proposing meas- ures to encourage people to continue working after pensionable age to sup- plement their pension income and top-ups for those aged 75 and over to mitigate the higher spend on medi- cines. The organisation is also warning that past agreements that incorpo- rated the cost of living wage increase into yearly wage rises agreed with un- ions should remain in force. Employ- ers fear that with COLA expected to reach substantial levels as a result of rising inflation, workers would seek compensation over and above the statutory raise. "The surge in COLA, which was not anticipated up till a year ago, may result in pressures to revise current agreements, as there may be em- ployees who will only be awarded the COLA for 2023. As an employer, the public sector should ensure that ex- isting agreements are adhered to, and not set precedents that could have serious consequences on the survival of enterprises in the private sector," MEA said. Employers' body wants food courier sector to be regulated by wage order In its Budget 2023 proposals, the Malta Employers Association is calling for 'airy fairy' projects like the Gozo tunnel and metro to be scrapped and more judicious use of public funds CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 Carmelo Refalo from Msida, who is al- ready under a probation order for a similar offence, was charged in court on Tuesday by inspectors Kylie Borg and Colin Shel- don, assisted by prosecutor Darlene Grima from the Office of the Attorney General. Refalo appeared before Magistrate Claire Stafrace Zammit. The five-year-old girl and her father testi- fied behind closed doors. Refalo was charged with corruption of a minor under the age of 12, facilitating the corruption of the minor, participating in sexual activities with her, subjecting a vul- nerable person to a non-consensual sexual act, and committing a crime whilst already under a probation order for a similar of- fence. Although the circumstances of the in- cident did not emerge in open court, it is understood that the man had allegedly touched the child's private parts after invit- ing her into his house to drink. Refalo's defence lawyers, Ludwig Caruana and Janice Borg, entered a plea of not guilty on the man's behalf. As the case dealt with the abuse of a mi- nor, and because the victim was due to testify via videoconferencing, the court or- dered the case to continue behind closed doors. At around 2.30pm, at the end of the hours-long sitting, and in view of the fact that the main prosecution witnesseses, the alleged victim and her father, had deposed, the court released Refalo from arrest. His bail was secured by a €5,000 deposit and a €15,000 personal guarantee. He was also ordered to sign a bail book twice a week and surrender his passport and ID card. The court imposed a ban on the publica- tion of the name of the victim. Man charged with sexual assault on girl was on probation for a similar offence The court granted Carmelo Refalo bail against a €5,000 deposit and a €15,000 personal guarantee