Labour market mobility and work challenges

Many of the challenges relating to the future of work revolve around new advancements, such as the platform economy and the potential re-emergence of seasonality in certain industries such as the tourism and hospitality industries, Minister within the Office of the Prime Minister Carmelo Abela said.

Carmelo Abela was in discussion with Cosmin Boiangiu, Executive Director of the European Labour Authority (ELA), yesterday. Boiangiu, who recently took over at the ELA, is currently visiting all European Union member states as part of an assessment of labour market and labour mobility related practices in EU member states, primarily in the context of the challenges brought about by the pandemic.

Minister Abela reiterated that Malta was willing to cooperate fully with the agency for the benefit of the workers, those who provide work, and the country.

Minister Carmelo Abela explained the work that the Department of Industrial and Employment Relations (DIER) carried out during these challenging months of the pandemic and how Malta adapted to this challenge.

“The investment of the Maltese Government in the Covid Wage Supplement, together with the flexibility shown by the same department, made it possible to preserve jobs,” Minister Abela said. He also mentioned the work being done to implement EU Legislation and Directives when it comes to conditions of work. He expressed his wish to work closely with the ELA to have a coordinated and practical approach across Europe. In order to keep social partners informed about the ELA’s work, Minister Abela indicated that the Director General of DIER, who sits on the Board of ELA and also acts as Deputy Chair of the ERB, will serve as a reference point for our social partners.

During his talks, Boiangiu highlighted the ELA’s primary goal, which is to apply a bottom-up approach, by meeting all member states, with the intent to grasp an understanding of the different national operations even more, focusing particularly on the mobility of EU workers across member states. In addition, the ELA also aims to look at the situation regarding employment and in which way EU and Third Country Nationals are contributing to the economic development of member states, with a view of reducing the phenomenon of unregulated work.

The ELA director was shown a presentation by DIER regarding this situation in Malta and the conditions of work afforded to these workers during the pandemic, “which led to Boiangiu considering promoting our national model in other member states so as to reach a balanced policy across all member states,” a government statement read.

Boiangiu also met with officials from DIER including Director General Diane Vella Muscat and with the Employment Relations Board, including chairman Tonio Portughese and the social partners.