Malta Chamber wants cap on non-EU workers that businesses can employ
The Malta Chamber has proposed a cap on the percentage of non-EU workers that businesses can employ, tax exemptions to encourage Maltese citizens abroad to return home and parking fees to alleviate traffic congestion as part of its Budget 2025 proposals.The Chamber emphasized the need for a strategic workforce to address labour shortages and ensure a balance between staffing levels and the country’s capacity to accommodate workers. The proposal to limit the percentage of non-EU workers, also known as third-country nationals, is driven by concerns over overpopulation. However, the Chamber suggested that this cap should not apply to businesses providing essential services or where such workers are critically needed. The Chamber advocated for a new economic model for Malta, prioritizing a high value-added economy rather than the current model, which it argues is reliant on population growth and lower productivity levels. (Times of Malta)
Workplace incidents increase in first half of 2024 – NSO Non-fatal workplace accidents in Malta increased by 2.2% in the first half of 2024 compared to the same period in 2023, according to the National Statistics Office. A total of 1,085 non-fatal accidents were reported between January and June 2024, 23 more than the previous year. The manufacturing sector had the highest share of non-fatal accidents at 15.8%, followed by construction with 13.2%, and human health and social work with 10.8%. Nearly one-third of the affected workers were absent for three days or less, while 19.3% missed work for 21 days or more. Workers in elementary occupations were most affected, followed by those in craft and related trades. The 25 to 34 age group accounted for 26.3% of all accidents, with 70% of the injured being Maltese nationals. (Newsbook)
The Nationalist Party accused Police Commissioner Angelo Gafà of lying and blaming the victim during a media briefing after Nicolette Ghirxi’s murder. MPs Darren Carabott and Graziella Attard Previ criticized Gafà for making false statements shortly after the murder and suggesting that Ghirxi had refused a risk assessment. This follows a report by the Sunday Times of Malta, revealing that Ghirxi had agreed to a domestic violence risk assessment in April but was discouraged by professionals during the evaluation. Ghirxi later told a friend and her lawyer that the assessor downplayed the seriousness of her situation, citing only insults, not threats, from her ex-boyfriend. (Maltatoday)
