239 accused of illegally employing workers

A total 239 persons were arraigned in court between January and July this year and accused of employing people illegally.

Replying to a parliamentary question by Labour MP Adrian Vassallo, Social Policy Minister Lawrence Gonzi said that in 12 of the cases the accused were found guilty, nine were acquitted, 73 cases were withdrawn and 145 were postponed.

One of the accused was fined Lm120 on conviction, three Lm100 each, one Lm60, six Lm50 each and one Lm25.

Dr Gonzi said in reply to another question that between January and September, 1,067 Maltese and 42 foreigners were found working without having submitted the relative engagement form to the Employment and Training Corporation. The minister said 252 of these had been registering for employment.