Two of Malta’s largest employer lobby groups have criticised Robert Abela’s decision not to take action against the two ministers involved in the girlfriend job controversy.
The Malta Chamber said the Prime Minister’s acceptance of Tourism Minister Clayton Bartolo’s apology as a sufficient response is “concerning”.
“Being lenient on such breaches of trust is incompatible with the ethical standards expected for good governance and weakens public faith in our institutions,” they said.
“When standards are inconsistently enforced or diluted, public confidence in Government diminishes, and the values of meritocracy and fairness are undermined.”
The Chamber argued that high-ranking officers in serious private companies are held to high standards of accountability, with an apology not sufficient in cases of ethical misconduct.
“The same, if not higher, standards should apply to those entrusted with public office.”
Meanwhile, the Malta Employers Association described the consultancy job given to Bartolo’s wife at the Gozo Ministry as a “phantom job” and warned it wasn’t the first of its kind.
“The Prime Minister’s reaction sent a clear message that certain people in high places can break regulations without any consequence for their actions,” they said.
“These and many other non-productive jobs given in the public sector are one reason why there is a shortage of employees in the private sector that is being addressed through the employment of foreign workers.”
“Ministers and civil servants are there to serve the people, not to take advantage of their positions to dispense lucrative government jobs at will.”
“Many employees see the injustice of having to give an honest day’s work to earn their salary, while a selected few are handed exorbitant packages and contracts for doing nothing or almost nothing.”
“This is affecting the national work ethic and the motivation of the honest worker and entrepreneur. It can no longer be allowed to persist. If the prime minister truly believes in good governance and aspires towards upholding the country’s reputation, then he should act consistently and do the right thing to send a clear message that such abuses in a serious country like Malta are not tolerated.”
