Lotto receiver booths were closed between 0900CEST and 1000CEST on Thursday after the Lotto Receivers Union and Unjoni Ħaddiema Magħqudin (UĦM) called on their members to protest against Maltco Lotteries Ltd. Besides the closure of the lotto booths, a number of employees, along with their respective unions, staged a protest in front of the Maltco Headquarters in Iklin.
Among the reasons for the protest was Maltco’s announcement to change the way the lotto is played. Maltco has an exclusive license to operate all National Lottery games in Malta. The company is currently operating most of the games which previously fell under the responsibility of the Department of Public Lotto. The company said that unless lotto receivers agree to this change along with a number of others, it will stall lotto games by the end of the year. The unions, who dubbed Maltco's attitude as “arrogant”, believe that this move could endanger the employment of lotto receivers.
In August 2005 Maltco decided to distribute seven addition terminals, bringing up the total of terminals to 15. The concerned unions do not agree with the system adopted by Maltco for the distribution of these terminals. The protest also arose because lotto receivers are finding it difficult to cope with the volume of work with regards to the granting of the second terminal.
The unions are also worried about Maltco’s declaration to put a stop to the lotto game should it not be changed to conform to the company’s proposals. The unions believe that the living of up to 190 families could be threatened. The lotto game in Malta has been played for over 80 years.
Speaking to the press, UĦM General Secretary and Arthur Rossi from the Lotto Receivers Union said that although they believe in dialogue, Maltco’s arrogance has led the unions to step up action. The Unions’ representatives stated that further actions cannot be excluded.
See also:
Lotto booths closed following two hold-ups
By MaltaMedia News
Aug 24, 2005, 19:30 CET
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