Former PBS presenter Lou Bondì is being paid €22 an hour as a consultant to the government’s arts council, according to his contract.
He has also been assigned to act as artistic director of the council’s annual rock festival.
After the Data Protection Commissioner overruled a decision by the Justice Ministry not to publish Mr Bondì’s contract, this newspaper was given access to the employment conditions of the former chairman of the Nationalist Party’s Radio 101.
According to the latest contract, Mr Bondì’s fourth since Labour’s return to power in 2013, he is giving “strategic communications advice” to the Malta Arts Council.
The contract stipulates that he receives €22 an hour for a 40-hour week and is entitled to an additional retainer of €8,240, excluding VAT, to cover expenses.
His total package amounts to €54,000 a year.
Engaged on a self-employed basis, Mr Bondì is not required to report for work at the arts council but is paid instead against the issuance of invoices which list the number of hours he worked for the government.
He is also free to offer his services to other organisations, including in the private sector.
Mr Bondì’s engagement was made through a direct...
