Unnecessary and undue pressure is being put on Gozitan employees working in Malta, the Association of Gozitan Employees in Malta, has said in a statement.

It said that tomorrow marks the date when hundreds of Gozitan employees working in the public sector will return to their respective work places, following the relaxation of Covid-19 restrictive measures.

However, tomorrow will also be the day when “the usual hardships and headaches for Gozitan employees will resume,” the AGEM said, and which will be even more concerning this time round.

The Association highlighted a number of issues, such as a “lack of guidance for vulnerable Gozitan employees working in Malta,” who, it said, “will be unduly exposed to unnecessary health-related risks because of the continuous travelling between the two islands.”

“There is also a lack of clear guidance on the use and minimum number of persons allowed on minivans, which for many Gozitan workers are the only means of transport for their respective workplace.”the Association pointed out that “this lack of clarity is resulting in unnecessary strain on Gozitan employees working in Malta.”

Since currently Gozo Channel is only operating its service with 3 ferries (following the suspension of the 4th ferry due to Covid-19), many Gozitan workers, using their private cars, will end up embroiled in lengthy queues on their return-back home trip, the Association said

Following several reports from its members, the AGEM said that it is extremely concerned for the “lack of knowledge on how health directives would be implemented and put into place by tomorrow morning in public service directorates and offices.”

Not only that,” but many workers were left in the dark on what procedures and practices would be utilised to adhere to the `new normality’ while ensuring the provision of high quality service to all citizens,” the AGEM said.

It argued that “the above concerns surely need immediate addressing through tailor-made rather than one-size-fits-all solutions based on the business-as-usual mantra.”

The experience of the last three months clearly showed the effectiveness and utility of ‘teleworking’ – a fact which was also recognised by the Office of the Prime Minister, the AGEM said.

AGEM went on to reiterate its position that, where and when possible Gozitan employees should automatically be granted two days of telework from Gozo

It stressed that the Association should be “actively consulted in the drafting of the new ‘teleworking’ guidelines, which procedures should also be issued as swiftly as possible.”

Additionally, AGEM would also like to stress the need for the completion of the Hub as well as the boosting of the Hot-Desking Projects in Gozo.

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