7000 Gozitans working in Malta

Representatives of ‘The Association of Gozitan Employees in Malta’ met Dr Alfred Sant, Head of the Labour Delegation of the European Parliament in Xewkija, Gozo where they explained the social and economic realities which they encounter on a daily basis. The Association’s aim is to safeguard, facilitate, and improve the rights, interests and working conditions of Gozitan employees working in Malta. More than 7000 Gozitans work in Malta, 3000 in the private sector and 4000 in the public sector.
“We are a minority within a minority. We would appreciate if you voice our concerns on a European level.” the Association’s members told Dr Sant explaining the challenges and problems they face whilst crossing daily from Gozo to Malta.
Sean Zammit said Gozitans crossing daily between the islands calculate they lose 48 days a year apart from the rising costs in transportation, referring also to the high rise in rents in Malta.
The Maltese MEP invited the Association to launch a study on existing problems and transport expenses and propose their own solutions for the consideration of the competent authorities.
Dr Sant said that together with other MEPs representing UE islands he proposed the implimentation of projects for the consideration of the EC and that together with a Croatian MEP representing Croatian islands they convinced the Commission to finance a €12 million project for clean air in EU islands.

Maltese Version – 7000 GĦAWDXI JAĦDMU MALTA

Rappreżentanti tal-‘Assoċjazzjoni tal-Impjegati Għawdxin f’Malta’ ltaqgħu mal-Kap tad-Delegazzjoni Laburista fil-Parlament Ewropew Dr Alfred Sant fix-Xewkija, Għawdex fejn iddeskrivew ir-realtajiet soċjali u ekonomiċi li jiltaqgħu magħhom kuljum l-Għawdxin li jaħdmu Malta. L-għan tal-għaqda huwa li jħarsu, jiffaċilitaw u jtejbu d-drittijiet, l-interess u l-kundizzjonijiet tax-xogħol tal-impjegati Għawdxin f’Malta. Aktar minn 7000 Għawdxi u Għawdxija jaħdmu f’Malta, 3000 fis-settur privat u 4000 fis-settur pubbliku.
“Aħna ninsabu minoranza f’minoranza. Napprezzaw jekk ittella’ l-vuċi tagħna fuq livell Ewropew.” qalu ż-żgħażagħ lil Alfred Sant waqt li elenkaw problemi u tbatijiet li jiffaċċjaw biex jivvjaġġaw kuljum bejn iż-żewġ gżejjer u anke irreferew għall-kirjiet dejjem jogħlew għal dawk Il-ħaddiema Għawdxin li jaħdmu f’Malta.
Sean Zammit qal li hija problema għal impjegati Għawdxin li ta’ kuljum jaqsmu minn Għawdex għal Malta għax-xogħol. “L-ispejjeż tat-trasport dejjem jiżdiedu. Nikkalkolaw li nitilfu 48 ġurnata kull sena nivvjaġġaw bejn iż-żewġ gżejjer għax-xogħol.”
Dr Sant stieden liż-żgħażagħ biex jagħmlu studju dwar il-problemi u l-ispejjeż tat-trasport u jipproponu soluzzjonijiet għall-konsiderazzjoni tal-awtoritajiet.
Dr Sant qal li qed jaħdem ma’ MEPs minn gżejjer Ewropej biex il-vuċi ta’ dawk li jgħixu fil-gżejjer u fil-periferija tal-Ewropa tasal bi proposti konkreti quddiem il-KE. Qal li flimkien ma’ MEP Kroat li jirrappreżenta l-gżejjer Kroati ikkonvinċew lill-KE tniedi proġett ta’ €12-il miljun għal ambjent aktar nadif fil-gżejjer Ewropej.