Taghna Lkoll heritage update: the Palace
I have just received this email.
Apparently the Palace in Valletta is going to house a number of offices related to the EU presidency of 2017. The manner in which the work is being carried out is appalling. There is dust everywhere, including on the suits of armour in the corridors and on the precious 18th-century tapestries. There are people clambering all over the place and in the Neptune courtyard in a way that endangers both themselves and the stonework.
Most of the labourers are clearly refugees without any safety equipment at all. Goodness knows what sort of a pittance they’re paid, and given this government’s talk about ‘prekarjat’ they certainly don’t seem to be leading by example.
The tender documents which bidders are being given are laden with safety and quality requirements which clearly are not being adhered to by this particular contractor now.
The place is a mess and the heritage groups need to demand access (or even better, sneak in unannounced before they can tidy it up in anticipation of their visit) and speak out.