At last – now let’s have a magisterial inquiry as the police can’t work properly for political interference
So many high-ranking and well connected people appear to be involved, or have been involved, in the Leisure Clothing saga over the years that the police cannot be trusted to carry out a full and wide-ranging investigation into the business and its human trafficking links/exploitation.
Leisure Clothing’s directors have been indicted on human trafficking charges and have been held on remand. But this is on the basis of one particular case relating to a few workers who tried to escape.
It should lead to a more wide-ranging investigation supervised by a magistrate who, unlike the police, is not subject to the whims of government and the Police Minister.
It looks like what we have had here is human trafficking on a large scale – ‘hidden in plain sight’ – with people refusing to acknowledge what was going on and others colluding in the gross exploitation.
All those of us in the press who stuck right on to this story and wouldn’t let it go are perhaps allowed to feel some sense of achievement today.
This reminds us what we are really here for. In a small island where it should be impossible to get away with something like this, with supposedly all the controls of police, licensing, permits, visas, immigration, labour unions and workplace inspectorates, it had to the the press to crack this particular nut after so many years of endemic abuse.
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http://www.independent.com.mt/articles/2014-11-19/local-news/Two-Leisure-Clothing-directors-denied-bail-after-accused-of-9-charges-including-human-trafficking-6736125992
http://www.independent.com.mt/articles/2014-11-19/local-news/Power-station-deadline-I-am-ready-to-face-the-political-flak-but-we-made-the-right-choice-Mizzi-6736125952
“Far from it, this is an issue of responsible choices. We had two choices: we could have built the power station in 18 months and we also had the option to take up a very good opportunity by SEP, which will be investing €320 million in the power station. This sum will not only address Enemalta’s past but also its sustainable future.”
So wait, is the new plant being built by Shanghai Electric Power?
“We said let’s pause for a bit, close the deal with SEP and integrate all three components to ensure security of supply and the best price for electricity generation. In my opinion we made a responsible choice. I am ready to take the political flak but I think we have done the right thing.”
That’s not what they were saying until October, no delays was the message out there. As for the deal with SEH being closed, Mizzi himself has said there were still a number of details to iron out by end this year.
And ‘soon’ was supposed to be the end of November, that’s the milestone schedule next week.
U jista’ xi hadd jispjegali ghalfejn qed jordom kemm jiflah, mela hasbu Masada?
That is exactly what should be happening. What are the chances of that happening anytime soon?
What about that women shop steward, the one shouting with arrogance to the press to leave ? She surely knows what was going on !
Just now in Malta workers from non-EU European countries are being given working permits to be exploited by cleaning agencies and security agencies.
Journalists should investigate these situations. These workers are not given the annual bonuses, no maternity leave etc.
Will it take as long as it has done with Leisure Clothing? No wonder no Maltese want to work in hotels etc.
Not only human trafficking but also Leisure Clothing was being used as a base from which clothes which were made in China, came to Malta and were re-exported into the EU already labelled with a “Made in Malta” to avoid EU import excise duty.