THE OFFICE OF THE PRESIDENT “Employers should not be stingy with regards to the health and safety of workers” – the President during the National Worker of the Year 2022 Award

The President of Malta George Vella encouraged all employers not to be stingy with regards to the health and safety of workers.

 

During the ‘National Worker of the Year 2022 Award’ ceremony organised by the Parliamentary Secretariat for Social Dialogue, the President referred to workplace accidents, some of which were fatal.

 

“Employers and the responsible authorities should drive initiatives that avoid and protect employees from tragedies that can be avoided with a little more attention and discipline,” said President Vella.

 

The National Worker of the Year Award recognises the dedication and diligence of workers, as the President remarked that our country has always been known for the ingenuity and diligence of its workers.

 

“In recent years the number of foreign workers among us has increased significantly. They were, still are, and will remain a crucial element in the economic success of our country. While I thank them for their valid contribution, I would like each of them to be treated with respect and dignity for the service they provide,” said the President.

 

While thanking all the workers for their sacrifices during the pandemic, President Vella encouraged employers to continue using electronic systems even now that restrictions are a thing of the past.

 

“I believe that the various systems that were used offered a good balance between the work and private life of workers. At the same time, the many congestions on roads and in offices were reduced and even consumers learned to use electronic systems for multiple services,” stated President George Vella.

 

The Parliamentary Secretary for Social Dialogue, Andy Ellul, said that although the Government’s effort is very important to continue to achieve positive results in our economy, the truth is that these results would certainly not have been achieved without the diligence of the workers and the entrepreneurial spirit of Maltese businessmen.

 

During his speech the Parliamentary Secretary referred to several legal introductions that came into effect during the past year with the aim of improving working conditions and the quality of life of workers.

 

While congratulating all the winners and semi-finalists, the Parliamentary Secretary told them that they must be an “inspiration for other companies to further embrace the principle of inclusivity and to recognise that in a suitable work environment, workers will be more productive and thus carry out their duties with more passion and care.”

 

The winners are:

 

  • National Worker of the Year Award – Claire Mallia, learning support educator at Stella Maris school
  • Manager/Head of the Year – Ramon Deguara, Director General at the Cleansing & Maintenance Division
  • Team of the Year – Oncology Ward 1
  • Organisation which promotes work-life balance initiatives – Alliance, Santa Venera
  • Award for the best Female Entrepreneur – Janice Azzopardi, Sensara Malta
  • Award for the best Male Entrepreneur – Mario Said, Scotts Ltd
  • Award for the most Inspiring Youth Leader – Martina and Carlos Borg, Carisma
  • Award for the Company that most promotes Corporate Social Responsibility – V Squared and Gadgets
  • Award for the most Inclusive Organisation – Commission for the Rights of Persons with Disability
  • Lifetime Achievement Award – Raymond Scicluna, Clerk of the House of Representatives within the Parliament of Malta

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Source: Office of the Prime Minister