Three Filipino cleaners this morning told a court that they had been asked by their employer to make a refundable deposit consisting of two €168 monthly instalments or else face the sack and deportation.

The witnesses were testifying before Magistrate Consuelo Scerri Herrera in the case against the owners of Mr Clean Limited, who stand accused of human trafficking.

Joseph Degiorgio, 71, his two sons Paul Degiorgio, 47, Christopher Degiorgio and non-executive director Josianne Bugeja Degiorgio are all denying the charges.

During today’s sitting, the court heard two men and a woman, who had started working for the company in December 2014, through a Filipino agency after paying up to €6,500 each.

As in previous sittings they all stated that contrary to the conditions listed in the contract signed in the Philippines no free accommodation and food expenses were offered by the Maltese employer.

The workers complained that last March €168 had been deducted from their salary, while exhibiting their pay slip in court.

Cross-examined by the defence, the three witnesses gave contrasting explanations when asked for the reason behind this deduction. While two of them could not give a clear explanation, the third employee said that he had inquired with Mr Degiorgio (Snr), who had told him that this was a deposit as a “bond” in case they left the company abruptly.

“Mr Degiorgio said that those who do not sign a contract [to have two monthly installments of €168 in March and April of this year deducted as a deposit] would have their job terminated and deported,” the worker said.

He added that he was told the deposit would be refunded in case their job was terminated by the employer.

A female worker testified that even though she did not agree, she had no option but pay the deposit as otherwise she would not have been able to give financial support to her family in the Philippines.

The defence pointed out that the decision to deduct this deposit had been revoked, to the point that no deduction was made in April’s salary. It also pointed out that prior to affecting the deposits, the employees had been invited for an explanation at the company’s office, but none of the witnesses had turned up.

The court also heard that the witnesses had quit their job following the arraignment of the company directors.

The three of them admitted that they had not informed their superior about their decision and simply decided not to turn up for work, for fear that their company was in deep trouble. 

Lawyers Franco Debono, Joe Giglio, Amadeus Cachia and Marion Camilleri are defence counsel.

Drs Lara Dimitrijevic and Anne Marie Bisazza appeared parte civile for the workers. Police inspectors Joseph Busuttil and John Spiteri are prosecuting.