Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/981272
NEWS | SUNDAY • 13 MAY 2018 maltatoday TIA RELJIC LOW rates of unemployment have become a challenge for Malta Public Transport, who has to focus on in- centivising people to join its team of public transport drivers – particularly ahead of the summer months. Evidence of this was printed in news- papers this past week in the form of an advert offering a €1,500 bonus for bus drivers who join the team. A spokes- person for Malta Public Transport clarified that this scheme was target- ing experienced drivers – who do not require training – in order to fill the gaps in preparation for the hectic sum- mer public transport schedule. "The labour market is what it is. It's tough, and we need to get ready for summer," the spokesperson said, explaining that "low unemployment" gave people more options. "The current climate in Malta in re- gards to employment gives people a lot of choice," Malta Public Transport said, adding that the company needs to do its part in incentivising more people to join. The scheme is just one of many, the spokesperson said, as Malta Public Transport is offering similar incentives of equal value even to its existing driv- ers. Currently, the company employs over a thousand drivers. The amount of drivers necessary depends on the demand – something which the com- pany needs to anticipate before things get out of hand. There are currently 130 drivers in training who are expect- ed to be on the road soon. "We try to have a proactive ap- proach rather than a reactive one," the spokesperson said, explaining that the scheme was part of a plan to prepare for an increase in demand for summer. When asked whether a shortage of drivers has negatively affected the ser- vice, this newspaper was told that the public transport service has actually improved, "reached a good level of ef- ficiency", and become more reliable in recent months. The scheme advertised in newspapers was merely a pre-emp- tive measure ahead of summer, when demand for public transport will in- crease and extra services will be added, the spokesperson said. The majority of the drivers employed by Malta Public Transport are of Mal- tese nationality, but there is a mix of over 32 different nationalities in the company. The contracts offered to drivers are indefinite, although it is entirely up to the drivers, Malta Public Transport said. But the company would not compro- mise for the sake of recruiting more drivers, and instead maintains a strict selection and recruitment process de- spite the current situation vis-a-vis the labour market. Although the summer recruitment scheme is aimed at expe- rienced drivers, Malta Public Trans- port said it would not consider re- hiring drivers it had sacked. "We still have to maintain our level of service," the spokesperson said. "We would still refuse people that we have previously fired due to accidents and such." KARL AZZOPARDI PN deputy leader Robert Arrigo yesterday called for supporters to rally behind leader Adrian Delia, claiming a further slump would give Labour a two-thirds majority in the House. Addressing the party's general council, Ar- rigo said this would allow Labour to amend the Constitution without requiring consensus from the Opposition. Arrigo said the PN had to project a better im- age of itself and insisted that although the par- liamentary group was united, this image was not being presented to the public. "I'm proud to apologise for allegations on social media that the PN would lose its third seat in the European Parliament if the people around Delia do not change," Arrigo said of comments he made denigrating MPs Hermann Schiavone and Kristy Debono, and assistant general secretary Jean Pierre Debono. Arrigo said party members with doubts about Delia had to discuss any problems they might have with him. "It took me long to accept you as it is hard to win my trust. But you put your cards on the table and the evidence you pro- duced convinced me," Arrigo told Delia at the PN's General Council, which comes to an end today Sunday. Arrigo also warned against "fake news" which he linked with the PN's landslide defeats since the advent of social media and online news. Shortage of bus drivers a new challenge ahead of summer Arrigo warns PN over Labour dominance WIN €1000 Every month when using Findit.com.mt DIRECTORY | DEALS | QUOTES | REVIEWS Next time... use Findit! As Freddie found out, doing your own tax returns is not always the best idea…