Employers and businesses that are under investigation for exploiting their employees will not be permitted to recruit additional foreign workers until the relevant investigations are resolved, Home Affairs and Employment Minister Byron Camilleri has said
The Home Affairs Ministry also announced that JobsPlus would be refusing new work permit applications for taxi drivers and couriers, saying that the market is now saturated. This will not affect those already working in this industry.
The Ministry for Home Affairs, Security, and Employment said that it, along with Jobsplus, is committed to ensuring that third-country nationals working in Malta are protected from abuse from their employers. It said that whenever cases of abuse arise, appropriate action will be taken by the relevant authorities.
Employees who are affected by such instances should seek assistance from Jobsplus, the Ministry said. It added that Jobsplus remains dedicated to maintaining a fair and balanced labour market which protects the rights of workers while addressing the needs of employers and Malta’s economy.
Jobsplus has recommended the refusal of a number of new single permit applications, the Ministry said, “including those from individuals still abroad and those seeking a change of employer”.
It said that this was decided following evaluations by Jobsplus which have indicated that the labour market for cab drivers and food couriers has become saturated. The Ministry said that this decision is based on an extensive review of the labour market, which included an analysis of unemployment registers and employer vacancies.
Regarding the Single Permit, the Ministry said that this is a permit which combines residence and work authorisation, and undergoes a rigorous assessment process which is managed by Jobsplus. Part of this process, it said, includes comprehensive labour market testing to ensure alignment with current employment needs. A factor of this testing includes the evaluation of local worker availability for the positions, as well as an assessment of the applicant’s suitability and a verification of the prospective employer’s legitimacy.
To clarify the matter, the Ministry said that it is important to note that this measure does not affect current workers in the aforementioned sectors and that applications for renewals of current employees will continue to be processed without interruption. It added that this will ensure that these measures do not displace current employees and that the aim is to support stability and the continuity of employment for those already working in these roles.