The community worker scheme, which helps unemployed people gain work experience and improve their chances of finding a job, has been extended. The scheme originally launched in 2009 and reformed in 2016, is also meant to provide local councils, NGOs and other entities with workers for routine operations such as cleaning and maintenance of road signs. Last year Times of Malta reported that local councils across Gozo had flagged a rise in the incidence of skiving by people enrolled in this scheme. Many workers were not found on-site and while others did carry out the work assigned to them, they would fit in private jobs during working hours, such as at people’s houses. The management of the government initiative was originally within the remit of Jobsplus and was later conceded to the General Workers' Union. As of this year, the extended scheme will be overseen by the local government. Addressing a press conference about the scheme’s extension, president of the local councils’ association Mario Fava said that the scheme's current 840 participants earnt €1 million in wages between them. Minister for local government Jose’ Herrera meanwhile noted that the scheme was being extended...