UHM lambastes government for employing workers as self-employed

In its statement the UHM deplored government for not taking measures to address and regulate emerging practices and new forms of employment, despite it being an electoral promise.

The union referred to the ongoing practice by government authorities to hire civil servants on a self-employed basis. “These workers are being denied their basic rights as “normal” workers and are being forced to pay VAT,” it said.

The Union stressed that this issue had been part of government’s political debate in the last general elections, where it had promised that the problem will be addressed. “But instead of doing this, government itself is making use of such practices in its departments by employing workers, including secretaries, as self-employed,” it said.

The Union added it deplored the fact that government, rather than employing workers such as secretaries, careworkers and security guards directly with him, it is making use of  the outsourcing system.

“This means that a number of contractors are benefiting financially, but the workers employed have to suffer of inferior working conditions,” it said. “This is unacceptable and we expect government to be of example and change its employment policies.”

Referring to an initiative by the union in which it proposed for workers who are on minimum wage to provide them with training courses whilst giving them an allowance of €25 per week, the UHM insisted that government should maintain the promise made when announcing it during the Budget.

“Government should act on its words and begin the process for these measure to be implemented immediately,” it said.