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Karl Schembri and
Julian Manduca
Labour Leader Alfred Sant has told the Employment and Training Corporation there was no longer need to investigate his allegation about the dismissal of a Maltese worker, employed with Charles Polidano (ic-Caqnu), who he had claimed, was replaced by a foreign worker.
MaltaToday is informed that the worker referred to dramatically by Sant on TV, was dismissed for disciplinary reasons, although the official reason given for his job termination was that of ‘lack of work’ so that he could register for unemployment benefits.
In a Xarabank debate with Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi and AD chairman Harry Vassallo on 4 June, Sant alleged that jobs were in such a mess that Maltese workers were being replaced by foreigners.
He said a man had called him on that day to tell him he was sacked from working in the fields to be replaced by Chinese and Libyan workers. Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi told Sant to give him details privately so that the issue would be investigated “immediately.” Sant replied on air: “Ic-Caqnu. At his vineyards.”
Gonzi asked the ETC Chief Executive to investigate the case the following day, but when the employment corporation asked Sant for further details he never provided them.
“The Prime Minister had directed the ETC to investigate the claims made by Alfred Sant relating to the alleged dismissal of a Maltese worker in lieu of the engagement of a foreign worker,” Gonzi’s communications coordinator, Alan Camilleri confirmed to MaltaToday.
“Along the course of the investigation, ETC officials solicited the assistance of the Leader of the Opposition. On being contacted by a spokesperson for the Leader of the Opposition, ETC were told that on the morrow of the TV programme all employees were ‘cleared’ and that the Leader of the Opposition felt that there is no longer any scope for ETC to inspect the site. The ETC, however, have been directed to continue to monitor and inspect as necessary.”
When contacted, Sant’s secretary, Michelle Tanti, said it was up to the ETC to investigate Sant’s allegation and denied she had told them to stop inspections. However, when asked whether Sant returned calls made by ETC, Tanti said she would not speak on Sant’s behalf. Questions sent by e-mail to Sant remained unanswered.
MaltaToday is also informed that Polidano Brothers contacted Sant to ask him if he knew of Maltese who would be willing to work in the construction industry. Sant provided two names, one of which has since refused to work, and the other is to start working this week.
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