Public Transport: The signed agreement is in violation of European laws on health and safety.

Press Release:

Public Transport: The signed agreement is in violation of European laws on health and safety.

Whilst Żminijietna – Voice of the Left is satisfied that an agreement between public transport workers and ALESA has been reached, it asks the Government to further consider the importance of working conditions.

Żminijietna said that "the agreement reached between the Government and the Spanish company Autobuses de Leon/ALESA has completely disregarded various European legislation regulating bus drivers' working conditions. In fact, EU Regulation (EC) 561/2006, which deals specifically with bus drivers, stipulates that they should have a minimum break of 45 minutes - a 15 minute break after the first four and a half hours of driving, and a further half an hour break after the second such period."

"At heart, this is an issue of health and safety for both the drivers concerned as well as their passengers. It should thus have been included in the package negotiated between the Government and the company."

Public Transport: “The Government should ensure accessibility and affordability”.

“Public Transport reform should ensure accessibility, affordability, decent conditions of work and an overall improvement in the service given”, states Żminijietna – Voice of the Left.

“With regard to accessibility we insists that the fares remain affordable, routes changed to satisfy people’s needs, accessibility upgraded for better use by the disabled persons, and adequate bus shelters.

Accessibility of the public service cannot be achieved without state’s support. Presently the service is being run by a public entity. The Government should take this opportunity to keep this service under state control, and should also consider sustaining the subsidies given through a progressive fiscal policy, that helps address the rising costs.   

This reform should also ensure better pay and more adequate working conditions. The democratic right for industrial action should also be safeguarded. That means that the government should legislate for an amendment in the law to give all workers in public transport the right to strike.”

Żminijietna – Voice of the Left reiterates its support for a better service to benefit all those who make use of the service, that is classified as an essential service in everyday life. The Communist Party of Malta and Alternattiva Demokratika are also appealing government to safeguard all essentialities of this service. 

Press Release 14/1/14