Refalo silent on claims of election eve jobs with ministry, Gozo Channel

The Gozo Ministry has remained silent in the face of claims that it has been employing dozens of individuals in the weeks and days preceding the general election.

The Malta Independent sent questions to the ministry, which is headed by Anton Refalo, after PN candidate and EPP spokesman David Stellini, who is a Gozitan, alleged in a Facebook post that the ministry was desperately dishing out election-eve jobs.

When contacted by this newspaper, Mr Stellini said he was informed that certain individuals “were told to sign contracts so that they could start receiving a government salary while they are still working their notice with their employers in the private sector.”

He also claimed that up to 90 people had recently been employed as ‘labourers’ at the Cittadella, earning a minimum wage. “Some people will obviously take such an opportunity. While a minimum wage may not be attractive to everyone, some people accept the offer to have some job security.”

He said he was informed that, in one particular case, an individual was called by the minister himself, who told him to “come tomorrow to sign your contract.” The PN candidate said this effectively meant that this person was drawing two salaries simultaneously – one from the government and one from the private sector.

Mr Stellini also claimed that “many others” had been employed with Gozo Channel.

On Wednesday 17 May this newspaper sent a number of questions to Dr Refalo and to his spokesperson, asking how many people had been employed by the ministry and Gozo Channel since 1 April. A week later we sent a reminder. The spokesperson replied that “the Ministry is still in the process of obtaining the information requested.”

Another week has passed and the ministry has still not sent its replies.

This is not the only case of jobs that have been handed out in the days prior to the general election. Last week The Malta Independent reported how some 87 labourers had been hired by WasteServ to work at the Marsascala recycling plant.

Recently it was revealed that the Water Services Corporation had hired around 150 fitters, who also live within the same electoral district that Konrad Mizzi is contesting. Just last week the WSC employed another 18 people who mostly hail from Mizzi’s district.

Then there is the issue of AFM promotions, with over 400 announced in the past two weeks. 136 backdated appointments, some dating as far back as 1996, were dished out this week. Three weeks ago another 403 promotions were awarded. The promotions were awarded on the recommendation of an army grievances board set up in 2013.

Other candidates have resorted to simpler ways, and have showered their constituents with gifts of wine, baskets of fruit and even hot-cross buns.