Last Sunday, Prime Minister Robert Abela spoke of the importance of updating the country’s migration policies to balance the needs of the economy while ensuring the fair treatment of both foreign and local workers. The government has launched a series of consultations with key stakeholders to gather input for the proposed Malta Labour Migration Policy, which aims to address ongoing challenges in the labour market, especially concerning the employment of third-country nationals (TCNs).

PM Abela held that the main goal of the new policy is to ensure that foreign workers can contribute to the economy without disadvantaging Maltese and Gozitan citizens in the job market. He pointed to the success of Malta’s economic growth over the past decade, which has led to increased employment, particularly among Maltese women. He noted that, while this economic success has brought about more opportunities, it also means that employers are now seeking more workers, and this has raised concerns about the potential exploitation of foreign workers and the stability of the job market.

Minister for Internal Affairs, Security, and Employment, Byron Camilleri, has been at the forefront of these consultations. He has in fact just met with the General Workers’ Union (GWU), where the union expressed strong support for the proposed changes. The union described the policy as an important step towards addressing the issue of worker exploitation, which has affected both foreign and local workers.

Josef Bugeja, the Secretary-General of the GWU, emphasised the union’s long-standing belief that the labour market should provide not just any job, but quality employment opportunities. He commended the policy’s 32 recommendations, which focus on creating sustainable careers for foreign workers while ensuring that employment is only offered where there is a clear need. The proposed measures aim to protect the rights of all workers, both local and foreign, and to enhance the oversight of the recruitment process.

One of the policy’s key elements is its focus on preventing the exploitation of foreign workers, which is a growing concern in Malta’s expanding labour market. The policy includes a range of measures designed to improve the regulation of third-country nationals working in Malta. For instance, employers with high turnover rates of third-country nationals will fail the Labour Market Needs Test (LMNT) and will be barred from hiring new TCNs. The policy sets thresholds for turnover rates, with small firms facing a 50% turnover rate, medium-sized firms at 40%, and large firms at 35%. This aims to ensure that employers are not repeatedly hiring foreign workers and that there is a genuine need for additional staff.

The policy also proposes extending work permit renewals from one year to two years for workers who have employment contracts lasting two years. This change is designed to encourage longer-term employment, offering greater stability for both employers and workers. Additionally, the government plans to increase the fees for first-time work permits from €300 to €600, while lowering renewal fees to €150 annually. This adjustment aims to discourage temporary or short-term employment, encouraging a more stable workforce.

Another key proposal is the requirement for employers to pay the salaries of third-country nationals through bank transfers. This measure is intended to improve monitoring of payments and prevent potential exploitation, ensuring that workers receive their due wages. The policy also introduces a longer grace period for third-country nationals whose employment has been terminated. Workers will have up to 60 days, an initial 30 days plus an additional 30 days if certain conditions are met, to find new employment, giving them a reasonable period to adjust to changes in their job situation.

The policy also strengthens the vacancy requirement, stipulating that employers must advertise job openings on local (Jobsplus) and EU (EURES) platforms for at least three weeks and provide valid justifications for rejecting Maltese or EU applicants. This ensures that local and European workers are given priority in the job market before employers turn to foreign labour.

Further, the policy proposes the introduction of a pre-departure integration course for third-country nationals. Before arriving in Malta, workers will be required to complete an online course covering Maltese language, culture, and values, to ease their integration into society. In addition, the government plans to establish a high-risk country list for employment applications. Applications from countries deemed high-risk due to security, public health, or public policy concerns will be automatically rejected.

The policy also includes provisions that require employers to hire a minimum number of Maltese or EU nationals (or other third-country nationals who are treated equally to Maltese/EU nationals) before applying for third-country nationals, with thresholds varying by company size. This ensures that the employment of foreign workers does not undermine job opportunities for local citizens.

A significant addition to the policy is the commissioning of a study on skilled occupation salaries. This study will set occupation-specific salary thresholds, ensuring that third-country nationals are paid fair wages in line with market standards.

Minister Camilleri noted that over the past decade, Malta has seen substantial economic growth, benefiting all sectors of society. He explained that the government’s aim with the new policy is to ensure that the economy works for the people, not the other way around.

The consultation process, which will continue until February 9th, invites the public to share their views on the proposed policy via the government’s consultation portal, publicconsultation.gov.mt. Camilleri concluded that the government is keen to receive input from the people to ensure that the final policy is comprehensive and considers both the economic needs of the country and the well-being of its citizens.

This public consultation represents a vital opportunity for Maltese citizens to influence a policy that will shape the future of labour migration and the nation’s workforce dynamics. The government aims to finalise a strategy that carefully balances the needs of the economy with the rights and interests of the people.