Precarity ‘a matter of concern’ as part-time dependency increases
David Darmanin
Labour’s deputy leader for parliamentary affairs Anglu Farruguia warned that recent NSO statistics revealing a spike in those whose main occupation was part-time work “should be of concern to those who have at heart the family, the self-employed, the middle-class and students.”
The concept of job precarity involves definite employment contracts that are not renewed or ones that engage workers in temporary or part-time and unsecured jobs.
“In March, part-time jobs as primary employment grew three times more than the rise in full-time employment,” Farrugia said. “This situation leads to the erosion of working conditions, as it sheds light on the grave state of the economy. In fact, nowadays we are at a point where working conditions have become so poor that employees are left without choice but to remain in a job even if it is humiliating for them to do so.”
The gainfully occupied population in March 2009 went up by 529 full-timers and 1,536 part-timers when compared to the corresponding month last year. In March 2009, the labour supply increased by 1,444 over twelve months: total gainfully occupied went up by 529, whilst unemployment rose by 915. The principal economic activities registering an increase in employment were real estate, renting and business activities and construction.
In March 2009, total part-time employment rose by 2,732 when compared to the revised figures in respect of March 2008. This increase comprised 1,196 persons whose part-time job is their secondary occupation and 1,536 persons whose part-time activity is their primary job. Education and wholesale and retail trade registered significant increases in part-timers.
Farrugia urged Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi to address problems in employment “that are being felt across the board”.
“Gonzi cannot remain indifferent, especially when we see that wages (in Malta) are among the lowest in the EU.
“It cannot be that Gonzi is happy with the fact that unemployment and job precarity are on the rise,” Farrugia said.
He added that the situation instills a sense of insecurity among workers, who find it difficult to plan for the future once their employment is not guaranteed.
“It also creates uncertainty in the economy, as people employed on a temporary basis will tend to be more careful with their expenditure.
“It seems that the promises made by Gonzi on jobs and employment while in the run-up to EP elections are not being honoured, and this fact is now also confirmed by the NSO.”
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