The Malta Employers’ Association said today it is concerned about the engagement of 150 fitters at the Water Services Corporation.

"While it is doubtful that these persons will be productively employed within the WSC, many of them will have been attracted to the WSC from the private sector, as there are hardly any fitters on the unemployment line," the association said.

READ: Konrad Mizzi’s WSC offering 150 new jobs

"This drain on human resources in the private sector is leading to artificial wage inflation, plus increasing demand for foreign workers to compensate for skills shortages.

"Competition within the labour market can be healthy as it encourages labour mobility and offers employees prospects of better conditions of employment. However, employers in the private sector cannot compete with promises of financial packages and lax working hours which are funded by the taxpayers."

It urged the corporation to explain why the employment of these people was necessary, the criteria of selection and the qualifications of the successful candidates. 

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