Updated 1020
Finance Minister: Employers must invest to curb population growth
Finance Minister Clyde Caruana said employers must invest more in capital and technology if Malta is to reduce its reliance on foreign labour and slow population growth. Addressing a pre-budget event, he confirmed Malta was on track to reach a population of 800,000 by 2040 if current trends continued, arguing that responsibility for reversing this trend did not rest solely with government. Caruana said employers had traditionally opted for more labour because it was cheaper and easier to obtain than capital. He compared calls for higher productivity while continuing to recruit more workers to asking someone to go on a diet while continuing to feed them sugar. Malta could only reduce its dependence on labour by increasing investment in technology and capital, he said, criticising the repeated demand from employers for government to make it easier to bring in more workers.
GWU Warns of Industrial Action Over Ex-Air Malta Workers’ Agreement
The General Workers’ Union (GWU) has warned of industrial action at government-owned Resource Support & Services Ltd (RSSL) after former Air Malta employees rejected a proposed collective agreement. The dispute centres on outstanding arrears spanning three and a half years, as well as concerns that existing employee benefits and conditions could be reduced or withdrawn. The GWU said RSSL’s proposals remain far from those presented during negotiations, despite discussions, including proceedings before the Director for Industrial and Employment Relations. The union said it would order industrial action involving all employees covered by the agreement unless RSSL provides a satisfactory response, while remaining open to further talks. (Maltatoday)
Abela, Borg Clash Over Caruana Galizia Inquiry as Government Pledges Journalism Reform
Parliament reconvened after the summer recess with a heated exchange between Prime Minister Robert Abela and Opposition Leader Alex Borg over the implementation of the public inquiry’s recommendations into the assassination of Daphne Caruana Galizia. Abela said the Government is preparing comprehensive reforms to strengthen protections for journalists, including enhanced safeguards against SLAPP lawsuits, tougher penalties and support in libel cases. He rejected calls for measures he said could gag journalists and insisted Malta is not a “mafia state”. Borg accused the Government of failing to fully implement the inquiry’s recommendations, including measures on unexplained wealth, anti-SLAPP protections and strengthening the Office of the Attorney General. He also criticised the Government’s approach to the inquiry’s recommendations. The Prime Minister defended reforms to the Attorney General’s Office and said mechanisms addressing unexplained wealth already exist in Maltese law. The exchanges prompted Opposition Whip Ivan Castillo to request a ruling over what he described as serious, unsubstantiated allegations; Deputy Speaker Bernard Grech said a ruling would follow. Separately, Abela said he was optimistic that Delta Air Lines’ direct New York–Malta route would be renewed for another year. He said the service recorded an 84% average seat occupancy rate between June and 21 September. (TVM News)
Morning Briefing
Chief Justice urges political agreement on successor
Chief Justice Mark Chetcuti has urged political leaders to agree on his successor, while warning that delays, staff shortages and limited capacity continue to put pressure on Malta’s justice system. Speaking at the opening of the forensic year, Chetcuti said he would remain in office until Parliament agrees on a replacement, despite having reached retirement age in February. His appointment was initially due to end then, but no successor has secured the two-thirds parliamentary majority required. Chetcuti said cooperation between political leaders and institutions was essential and called for a solution that served the judiciary and the public. He also highlighted shortages of judges, court delays and infrastructure needs, particularly in the criminal courts. Two new judges were appointed this week. Chetcuti also suggested that some less serious cases could be handled by tribunals to reduce pressure on magistrates. (The Times of Malta)
Family firms report growth but squeezed profits
More than a third of Maltese family businesses increased their turnover between 2022 and 2025 but recorded lower profits, according to the Malta Chamber Family Business Survey 2026. The survey, covering 154 businesses, found that 57 firms, or 37%, experienced this “profitless growth”, while an identical proportion reported both higher turnover and higher profits. Overall, 92% of respondents recorded rising turnover. The report found a strong link between formal planning and financial performance. Among businesses with regularly reviewed written strategic plans, 41.5% reported higher turnover and higher profits, compared with 26.2% that experienced higher turnover but lower profits. By contrast, almost half of businesses that had no strategic plan but said they needed one reported profitless growth. The report said expansion had placed particular pressure on mid-sized companies and firms involved in importation and distribution, highlighting the need for stronger governance and organisational structures. (The Malta Independent)
Yorgen Fenech trial jurors will not face charges
Jurors who were investigated by police over suspected perjury in connection with the Yorgen Fenech trial are not expected to face criminal charges, according to reports. The jurors were questioned on September 17 over public statements they had allegedly made on social media before the trial, which had not been disclosed during the jury selection process. Police had specifically asked whether they had previously spoken publicly about the murder of journalist Daphne Caruana Galizia. Lawyers representing several of the jurors have confirmed that their clients were informed that they would not be charged. All the jurors had been released on police bail while investigations continued, with the bail period expiring on Thursday. It remains unclear whether any other people investigated as part of the inquiry will face charges. Fenech was acquitted by an eight-to-one jury verdict of charges relating to conspiracy and association in Caruana Galizia’s murder. (Newsbook)
