PRESS RELEASE BY THE MINISTRY FOR EUROPEAN FUNDS, SOCIAL DIALOGUE AND CONSUMER PROTECTION Strengthening workers’ rights through training and coordination

Protecting workers’ rights and ensuring fair competition among businesses were at the centre of a national training programme for enforcement authorities, organised by the Department for Industrial and Employment Relations (DIER), in collaboration with Malta’s National Liaison Officer for the European Labour Authority and with the support of the European Labour Authority (ELA).

The training brought together representatives from DIER, Jobsplus, Identità, the Malta Tax and Customs Administration (MTCA) and the Malta Police Force, alongside ELA experts. The sessions addressed labour mobility, posted workers and temporary work agencies, among other topics.

In his address, Minister for European Funds, Social Dialogue and Consumer Protection Keith Azzopardi Tanti emphasised that Malta has taken concrete steps at the national level to strengthen the regulatory and enforcement framework governing employment. This was done in response to the evolving needs of Malta’s labour market and to ensure that economic growth goes hand in hand with the protection of workers’ rights and fair competition.

The Minister also explained that changes in Malta’s labour market make coordination between authorities increasingly necessary. He also highlighted measures to strengthen supervision of employment agencies, protect temporary workers, and improve pay transparency.

He further emphasised the results of collaboration with the ELA, through which Maltese authorities have participated in more than 15 joint and concerted inspections, both in Malta and abroad, in sectors such as construction, transport and hospitality. This collaboration also included more than 13 study visits to exchange experiences and practices with other countries.

The Director General of DIER, Diane Vella Muscat, said that this training is the first of its kind in Malta. “With ELA’s support, it brought together Malta’s competent enforcement authorities responsible for working conditions and labour mobility to share our day-to-day experiences, learn from one another and explore how we can strengthen cooperation for the benefit of our country.”

This training forms part of ELA’s ongoing efforts to strengthen the capacity of national enforcement authorities in the field of labour mobility. The Maltese authorities had an opportunity to exchange knowledge, share practical experience and enhance their ability to address the challenges of an evolving labour market.