Foreign bus company Oasis Workforce Solutions has been engaged by Malta Public Transport to supply it with enough bus drivers to match the ever increasing demands.
Oasis Workforce Solutions has so far supplied 15 drivers who were employed for periods of three to six months. It was revealed by several sources, including Times of Malta, that the drivers were offered by the UK company a salary which is around three times the one Malta Public Transport pays its own employees.
A Malta Public Transport employee gets paid €7.34 per hour whereas a driver employed by the foreign agency is being offered up to €22.64 (£19.50) per hour to drive the same buses.
Bus drivers employed with Malta Public Transport also have access to allowances, performance bonuses and various other benefits which add up to around a €19345 yearly salary.
The UK company promoted a potential income of over £1,000 per week plus overtime for drivers willing to work in ‘hot, sunny climate’ on ‘beautiful Malta.’
Times of Malta also reported how the UK-engaged drivers are being offered free accommodation for the duration of their employment. They will however be required to return to their country when the peak season demand drops, making the post far less attractive due to job security.
Times of Malta reported how a spokesperson for Malta Public Transport denied any discrimination or illegality when asked about the issue.
“All this is done within the parameters of local and international legal frameworks,” the spokesperson said.
“Malta Public Transport is an equal opportunities employer that employs around 1,300 employees across its operations.”
The issue was also highlighted by PN MP Adrian Delia on a social media post, which showed the salary discrepancy. What do YOU make of this?
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