Robert Abela: ‘I Can’t Understand How Businesses Whose Profits Have Exploded Say They Cannot Improve Salaries’
Prime Minister hopeful Robert Abela last night urged Maltese businesses whose profits have exploded in recent years to improve the salaries of their workers.
“It’s a reality that several businesses have improved their profits in recent years, which is a good thing and something we must keep building on,” Abela said during a debate with fellow leadership contender Chris Fearne on ONE. “However, I cannot understand how so many businesses tell you that their profits have exploded in recent years but then say in the same breath that they cannot improve their workers’ salaries. I cannot understand this.”
“With the strong position that the economy is in, the time has come to take the next step and improve salaries so that work can give dignity to people.”
He pledged to implement the concept of equal pay for equal work, something Fearne has also promised, warning it is unjust for factory workers employed by contractors to earn less than their colleagues performing the exact same job.
“Employers should understand that better salaries will improve the productivity of workers and that happy, motivated and incentivised workers are more productive.”
Abela also called for enforcement on the employment of foreign workers, warning that it isn’t right for employers to pay them low wages and kickstart a race to the bottom.
Fearne also pledged to prioritise the concept of equal pay for equal work, estimating that doing so will cost the government around €10 million.
“Competitiveness shouldn’t come at the cost of work conditions, but should come about by businesses offering good services and products, improving their efficiency and productivity and ensuring industrial peace and happy workers,” he said. “The ultimate aim of the Labour Party is to help those in need and this will be one of my priorities as PL leader.”
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