Updated 1300
DIER Recovers €1.5m in Unpaid Wages After 1,000 Investigations: Malta’s workers’ rights watchdog recovered nearly €1.5 million in unpaid wages in 2025 following 1,000 investigations, according to the annual report of the Department of Industrial and Employment Relations. Parliamentary Secretary Andy Ellul said 40,000 people used the department’s services, as enforcement and inspections strengthened deterrence against abuse. DIER also issued 224 licences to employment agencies employing 20,000 workers. Ellul highlighted recent reforms, including pay transparency measures, paid miscarriage leave, and expanded parental and remote working rights, aimed at promoting a fairer, more inclusive labour market. (Times of Malta)
Over 100 Young Drivers Take €25,000 to Quit the Road Under Government Scheme: More than 100 young people have surrendered their licences under the government’s Driving Licence Surrender Scheme, which offers €25,000 over five years to drivers aged 30 and under who stop driving. Transport Minister Chris Bonett said over half of the €5 million budget has been committed, implying at least 100 participants. The scheme caps at 200 drivers. Critics argue the impact is negligible, noting Malta’s vehicle fleet exceeds 457,000, with around 36 cars added daily. Opposition figures and youth representatives say investment in public transport would deliver far greater congestion relief. (Newsbook)
Green Light for Corinthia’s Ħal Ferħ Luxury Resort Plan: The Planning Authority has unanimously approved the redevelopment of the long-abandoned Ħal Ferħ complex in Għajn Tuffieħa into the “Corinthia Oasis,” a mixed-use luxury resort by Corinthia Group. The project will convert the former Air Malta holiday village into a 122-room hotel with 22 water suites and 17 garden suites, alongside pools, a spa and the restored military chapel. It also includes 16 villas and nine bungalows, permitted under 2021 policy changes allowing high-end residential units in the ODZ area. Corinthia will pay €225,000 in planning gain and €10.3 million to the Lands Authority, with landscaping and height limits aimed at reducing visual impact. (The Malta Independent)
Morning Briefing
Maltese economy grows by 6.4% in Q4 – NSO
Malta’s economy continued its robust expansion in the final quarter of last year, growing by 6.4% in real terms compared with the same period in 2025, according to provisional figures from the National Statistics Office. Nominal GDP reached €6.3 billion, an increase of more than €442 million. The services sector drove most of the growth, supported by strong contributions from trade, transport, and communications. Household consumption rose by over 3%, while government expenditure increased by more than 6%, boosting domestic demand. Exports grew by 6.1%, with imports rising by 3.9%, signalling a positive contribution from international trade. Moderate price increases confirm that the 6.4% real growth reflects actual production gains rather than inflation. Income gains were distributed across wages, business profits, and taxes, reinforcing the sustained momentum of Malta’s economy. (TVMnews)
Government Updates Five-Year Alcohol Policy
The Government has released an updated five-year policy aimed at minimising the harmful effects of alcohol consumption on health, behaviour, families, and communities. The policy addresses both individuals and their families, offering support and intervention measures. Prevention remains central, with strengthened measures against addiction, misuse, and overconsumption, alongside initiatives targeting accessibility and public health impacts. Social Policy Minister Michael Falzon and National Addictions Advisory Board Chair Richard Muscat emphasised concerns over early-age drinking and the need for stricter rules on alcohol advertising, particularly on platforms accessed by minors. The policy also seeks to reduce environments where alcohol use is widespread and introduces structured interventions for those developing Alcohol Use Disorder. The approach reflects a broader Government commitment to safeguarding public health while supporting communities affected by alcohol-related harm. (The Malta Independent)
New Association Launched to Promote Sustainability Education
A new professional body dedicated to Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) has been launched in Malta, aiming to unite institutions, educators, and civil society around shared responsibility for sustainability education. The Malta Association of Professionals in Education for Sustainable Development (mapESD) held its launch at the HSBC Innovation Hub, attracting professionals from education, business, academia, and public institutions. Environment Minister Miriam Dalli highlighted the central role of education in equipping people with skills to act responsibly and contribute to their communities. mapESD provides a platform for collaboration, knowledge-sharing, and support for quality ESD practices, addressing previous fragmentation and reliance on individual efforts. President Mariosa Caruana and Vice President Mark Mifsud emphasised that sustainability education should not rest on a single person or project, but be integrated across sectors to advance Malta’s sustainability goals effectively. (Maltatoday)
