Conrad Borg Manché: Labour’s Workers’ Woes

Malta’s political scene stirred this week as Conrad Borg Manché, the Nationalist Party’s (PN) newly appointed spokesperson for work and employment, kicked off his portfolio with a scathing critique of the Labour administration’s handling of workers’ rights. Speaking at the PN’s headquarters in Pietà, Borg Manché painted a grim picture of a government that, in his words, “has let down the workers it was elected to protect.”

From Shop Floor to Parliament

Borg Manché, a lawyer by profession and former trade unionist, brings a wealth of experience to his new role. Having represented workers in various sectors, from manufacturing plants in Birkirkara to construction sites in Marsa, he’s no stranger to the challenges Malta’s workforce faces. His appointment signals the PN’s commitment to making workers’ rights a central theme in the upcoming general election.

“I’ve seen firsthand how Labour’s policies have eroded workers’ rights,” Borg Manché told the crowd gathered at PN headquarters. “From the erosion of Sunday rest to the lack of protection for gig workers, it’s clear that this government has prioritised big business over the rights of ordinary Maltese workers.”

Sunday Rest Under Siege

Borg Manché’s criticism of the government’s handling of Sunday rest is not new. The PN has long opposed Labour’s attempts to relax Sunday trading laws, arguing that it disproportionately affects low-income workers and small businesses. The issue has sparked heated debates in Parliament and on social media, with Labour supporters arguing that Sunday rest should be a choice, not a mandate.

“Sunday rest is not a luxury,” Borg Manché insisted. “It’s a fundamental right that protects workers’ health and family life. Labour’s attempts to erode it are nothing short of an attack on Maltese families.”

Gig Economy: The New Wild West

Borg Manché also took aim at the government’s failure to protect gig workers, a growing segment of Malta’s workforce. Despite repeated calls from the PN and trade unions, Labour has yet to introduce legislation that would grant gig workers basic employment rights.

“Gig workers are the new Wild West,” Borg Manché said. “They’re exploited, underpaid, and have no recourse when things go wrong. Labour’s inaction on this issue is shameful. We need clear laws that protect gig workers and ensure they’re treated fairly.”

Borg Manché’s critique comes at a time when workers’ rights are increasingly under threat, both in Malta and globally. The gig economy, automation, and the fallout from the COVID-19 pandemic have all contributed to a perfect storm that threatens to leave workers behind.

As Malta looks ahead to the next general election, the question on many minds is: who will stand up for the workers? Conrad Borg Manché has made it clear where he stands. The ball is now in Labour’s court.