Chinese sweat-shop slaves in Malta
Published:
October 31, 2014 at 12:11am
My column in The Malta Independent today on the big subject in the news: not just the indentured servitude of the Chinese workers, but the way this could only have meant corruption among Maltese officials.
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http://www.independent.com.mt/articles/2014-10-30/blogs-opinions/Chinese-sweat-shop-slaves-in-Malta-6736124654
Isn’t it time we stopped simply pointing fingers at the collective, the government, the opposition, the unions and asked individuals to explain themselves?
This will never help clean up our institutions of the dirt they are smeared in.
As soon as there is the slightest implication of one member they simply close ranks and to safeguard the institution they protect all and sundry who could smear the whole organization.
Considering that organizations function on the you scratch my back I scratch yours policy, no wrongdoing is ever exposed or condemned and no practices ever changed.
Someone brought these people to Malta. Someone processed their papers or we have a gaping hole for a human smuggling route.
Someone does the company accounts and does or does not fill in NI papers.
Someone issues cheques or transfers or withdraws cash for wages. Someone owns their accommodation and is being paid for it.
Someone has made inspections or decided not to make them. Some of these employees must have at some time or other needed medical attention.
Let us not be naive and believe that anyone turns a blind eye for nothing.
Whoever was on the take, whether monetary or otherwise carries blame, whether the buck stops with him/her depends on if he/she was the beneficiary or working under instructions. But the Nuremberg defence does not absolve anyone completely. Single individuals made this happen.
They will now count on their affiliations to protect them.
Could there be a connection between this very hot and disturbing topic with the strong defence of the textile and clothing factories before the EU referendum put up by Alfred Sant, Tony Zarb and company?
Any comments from Mr. Reno Calleja, expert of all things Chinese-Maltese?