President says National Workers of Year award is testament to diligence of all workers

The President of Malta George Vella said that the National Workers of the Year award is a prestigious certificate that testifies to the diligence and dedication of our workers.

“It is very nice and important to celebrate those individuals among us with character and valuable and inspiring qualities and skills. The workers and their work form the axis on which our society is based, the backbone of our country’s social and economic progress,” said the President during the award ceremony organised by the Parliamentary Secretariat for Social Dialogue.

While congratulating all the winners and nominees of the National Workers of the Year Award, the President mentioned that work helps people grow, discover and develop their talents and abilities. “That is why we say that work gives strength to the body (ix-xogħol huwa s-salmura tal- ġisem), because our work gives us a stronger sense of identity and a productive role in a wider social context,” stated the President while also referring to the continuous changes in the work environment.

The President said that we must keep in mind that workers are Malta’s greatest resource. “Our country is full of competent and capable workers who are willing to do more than is expected of them to offer a service of excellence. It is therefore important to understand how to take care of our workers in the best possible way,” said President Vella.

With reference to the increase in foreign workers among us and their valuable contribution to the economy, Dr Vella encouraged everyone to practice the necessary tolerance and to promote a more inclusive work environment that gives everyone the dignity they deserve.

In his speech, the Parliamentary Secretary for Social Dialogue, Andy Ellul, said that this award reflects how much, even in these times of artificial intelligence and digital technologies, workers were, still are and will still be the foundation of Maltese economic success in every sector and context.

The parliamentary secretary spoke about the government’s work on improving the quality of life and workers’ conditions, including the granting of the largest increase in the minimum wage for the next four years and the drawing up of a new set of laws regulating employment agencies, which employ thousands of both Maltese and foreign workers. These new laws will improve the working conditions and the rights of these workers.

While congratulating all the participants, the parliamentary secretary said that the government will continue to work hand in hand with social partners so that the country shifts towards a more sustainable economy. Dr Ellul added that the government will continue to work in favour of social mobility, social justice and social inclusion.