‘I Am So Grateful’: Underpaid Worker Olandu Speaks Out After An Outpouring Of Support From Malta
Olandu John Bright, the migrant worker who was assaulted by his ex-boss after demanding his wage, expressed his gratitude after several people offered their support.
“I saw the article and a whole lot of kind-hearted people have reached out to me,” he told Lovin Malta.
“I do really appreciate all your concern, I am very very grateful.”
Olandu had explained that he was paid just €250 for 11-hour shifts for three weeks of work.
The waste company in question denied this, saying that the worker worked for 18 days and had stolen the €250 the day he quit. They claim they also gave Olandu another €250, totalling around €3 a day.
The video drew condemnation from people of varying political opinions.
“This is not right. These people aren’t slaves,” Anton Rea Cutajar, one of the people who recently organised a counter-protest to a Black Lives Matter demonstration, added. “I am one of those that think that Malta is ‘full up’, but this is abuse.”
Meanwhile, activist group Moviment Graffitti warned that this is not an isolated case of worker abuse.
“There is savage exploitation in this country, especially in certain sectors like waste, cleaning, construction and hospitality,” they argued.
“It is also a shame that racism and the dishonest narrative of ‘Maltese against foreigners’ results in certain employers marginalising their workers without consequences,” Graffitti said, accusing the government of letting such injustices slide.
“I am absolutely disgusted by the video,” one commenter wrote. “I am horrified that this exists and it literally brought tears to my eyes. I am a Maltese citizen and I know how wonderful and generous we can be. But I also know how greedy and awful we can be too.”
“People are so quick to sign petitions against helping illegal migrants and even quicker to express their internalised racism on every social platform,” another reacted.
“These same people actively seek them out to work in horrible circumstances and at disgustingly low salaries. When will these double standards come to an end?”
“Where is the go back to your country parade?”
Tens of people, including a popular Facebook group for expats in Malta, have offered services or money donations to Olandu and some have even offered him a new job.
Lovin Malta is exploring avenues in order to support Olandu and is monitoring the story closely. He intends to file a police report about the incident shortly.
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