Government needs to be more courageous when it comes to discussing working conditions – GWU

“The government needs to be more courageous when it comes to discussing working conditions,” secretary-general of the General Workers Union (GWU) Josef Bugeja told The Malta Independent during an interview.

“In the recently proposed budget, the government wants to ensure that workers will be guaranteed equal basic pay and equal value for work, even in the private sector. We have been fighting and lobbying for this, but it is not enough. It is not just about wages, but also about working conditions. Our argument is not only about receiving the same wage, but also the same working conditions,” Bugeja said.

In a wide-ranging interview, Bugeja also discussed the digitisation of the workplace. “One of the main things we noticed is that factories are lacking people, and many warehouses are full of machines which do the work of five people,” he said.

Asked why the union does not protest as much as it did in the past, Bugeja said that this was because the current government engaged in dialogue with the union. Past problems, such as rising energy prices, had been solved, he added.

As for the mistreatment of foreign workers, Bugeja highlighted that “many times we have spoken to foreign workers about the abuse they face at work, yet they are not regularised (are working off the books) by their employer, so it would only cause them more trouble if they were to open a case against them.”

“That is why we emphasise the importance of them being in regularised employment. We try to reach out and provide this important information; information which their employer does not always provide them with.”

“Unfortunately it is impossible to catch every single form of abuse,” generalsecretary of the General Workers Union (GWU) JOSEF BUGEJA tells Giulia Magri in interview highlighting the various problems faced by different sectors. “As a union, we continue working to help every single individual.” Bugeja also discusses what the GWU fights for and how digitalisation is changing the workforce.

The first thing one sees on the GWU’s website are three words in bold: competent, consistent and credible. What is the message behind these words and how do they reflect the GWU?

The GWU has seen 75 years of collective agreements. The first such agreement was signed between the GWU and the Malta Employers’ Association (MEA). It was the first template of a collective agreement and is still used today. We have 75 years of collective agreements and industrial relations under our belt. If there is something to boast about, it would have to be our knowledge in the field of industrial relations, which no other trade union has.

We are also one of the few trade unions that has its own philosophies. We have always been the avant-garde union, and we speak in favour of workers being treated equally. We believe that there should be no distinction between workers, despite their backgrounds or religions.

We are credible because when we propose something, we do it. This year, the government has announced that those in the private sector will have equal pay for work of equal value. We spent years discussing this issue and lobbying for it; so we can show that our ideas do not just remain ideas, but we make them a reality. We were one of the few unions who fought for a minimum wage and we kept insisting on it till it went through. The same can be said for working on public holidays: we kept lobbying until the government listened to us, as we insisted that employees working on public holidays should be paid double.

Over the past few years, have you seen an increase or decrease in membership? Especially when it comes to young and foreign workers?

Yes, our membership is increasing. You might ask whether it is increasing at the same rate that employment is increasing, which is not the case. But, in my opinion, that is an opportunity and not a crisis for the union. A crisis would be that employment is rising, but our membership is decreasing. It is increasing, just not at a very fast rate. Today, more jobs are leaning towards financial services, professional services, science sectors or sectors which have more of a focus on technology-based services. The profile of workers is changing and so are the sectors. Therefore, as a union we must change and adapt to attract new members. It is an opportunity to see what employees need and want, so that we can offer them the right service.

We have seen an increase in the number of female members, as more and more women are joining the workforce today. Unfortunately, we are aware that there are a number of workers who have tried to join a trade union only to be threatened by their employer. We have had many cases where workers would ask us to help them join, and we would meet up with them, but the moment their employer is made aware of this, they would make it very clear that the employee would lose their job. The power is in the hands of the employer, leaving such workers voiceless.

When it comes to foreign members, we have around 4,500. The profile of the workplace is changing drastically, and we have many different individuals coming from different backgrounds. The employer must ensure that all employees work as a team. We need foreign workers and we must ensure that our foreign workers are treated the same as our Maltese workers and that nobody is mistreated or abused. At the end of the day, we need workers to provide a high standard of work.

When it comes to foreign workers, time and time again the media reports the mistreatment and discrimination that foreign workers face. What is the GWU doing to safeguard these workers and their rights?

We held a meeting with the UN’s Refugee Agency (UNHCR) and workers from different nationalities – Libyans, Syrians, Sudanese and Somalis – to discuss the problems these communities are facing and how we can help. We took the initiative to give a presentation to foreign workers

on their basic rights at work, minimum wage, their obligations and the importance of being regularised in an employment relationship.

Many times we have spoken to foreign workers about the abuse they face at work, yet they are not regularised (are working off the books) by their employer, so it would only cause them more trouble if they were to open a case against them.

That is why we emphasise the importance of them being in regularised employment. We try to reach out and provide this important information; information which their employer does not always provide them with. We have a number of foreigners coming to the GWU, not just those who are members, to discuss issues they face at the workplace or issues with Identity Malta, or issues opening a bank account.

We are also preparing a presentation at one of the open centres aimed at those who are coming of age and who want to start working, to help them understand employment law and their obligations. That way, they understand what is expected from them as workers, and also understand their rights. Recently we have seen a much bigger push towards a digital industry and investment in AI. Earlier this month, we saw HSBC close seven branches, and one of the reasons was due to an increase in the use of digital banking. This will affect employees and downscale the workforce; what is the GWU doing to ensure their members’ employment?

As a union, we are doing a lot. We recently visited a number workplaces to see how businesses are growing and what can be done to improve their business in the future.

One of the main things we realised is that factories are lacking people, and many warehouses are full of machines which do the job of five people. We launched discussions on the future of jobs, the impact of digitalisation on the workplace and the relationship between employers and employees.

One case in particular involves Taxify drivers and questions surrounding whether they are employed or self-employed. Who is the employer? Is it the application? What happens if a driver deletes the application; would they still have leave? We began asking these questions and we have met with the minister to discuss what the role and status of these drivers is.

I want to see what, as a union, we can do for these workers and their place of work. I do not believe that people are aware of the changes brought about by digitalisation and AI.

Why do you believe people are not aware of this? What is your opinion about digitalisation in the workplace?

Currently, we are experiencing the 4th revolution in globalisation. We have held discussions on the kind of impact there will be on Maltese workers. Of course, we cannot isolate ourselves from the changes happening here and many other countries. We need our people to be prepared for the changes, and that is why education is a key factor.

Our employees must be specialists in their field of work, but they must therefore have specialised training.

If you ask me where we are when it comes to digitalisation, I believe we still have a long way to go and need to see how industries will change. However, we must be prepared and our legislation must change to keep up with these developments.

What issues is the government not highlighting enough on when it comes to employees rights?

In this budget, the government wants to ensure that workers will be guaranteed equal basic pay and equal value of work, even in the private sector. We have been fighting and lobbying for this, but this is not enough. It is not just about the wage, but working conditions too. Our argument is not about receiving the same wage, but also the same working conditions.

Why is it that in a workplace, we have two employees doing the same job but being paid differently solely because one is employed directly by the workplace and the other is employed through a sub-contractor? The government needs to be more courageous in addressing this issue.

Your wage should not reflect who your employer is but, it should reflect the work you are doing. This is why fewer people wish to work in hospitality, as when they work on Sundays or in the evenings they are paid at a normal rate.

People do not want to work with those conditions, and because of this, the sector and service begins to suffer.. The government is doing a lot, but needs to be more courageous when it comes to discussing working conditions.

In the past, the GWU was constantly out in the streets protesting, yet nowadays we never see the union holding any protests. Why the sudden change?

It was not a sudden change. The most important thing needed in a society is dialogue.

As a union, we continuously discuss numerous issues with the government and lobby our ideas, as we represent the civil service workers. The difference between the situation now and in the past is very clear; before we did not have the opportunity for such discussions with the Nationalist Party; and, yes, we faced problems with the Nationalist Party at the time.

One of the last times the GWU protested was when the water and electricity bills were to increase, but the Labour government decreased them. Under the Nationalist Party, they removed public holidays without any form of consultation. Many times, we are associated with Labour Party. If the Labour Party does not listen to us, the GWU will return to the streets and protest. As a union, we have a number of roles, including defending the individual, being a collaborative partner, taking part in the work force, and protesting as a social movement. We have the right to strike. Currently, we have a number of ongoing discussions with the government, but there is a difference between a government who sits and listens to you and ones that don’t, and we are finding measures to improve worker equality.