Afta Urges Government Not to Throw Out the Baby With the Bathwater
The Association for Outsourcing and Temping Agencies (AFTA) acknowledges the Maltese government notable economic achievements over the past decade, driven by initiatives that have positioned Malta as a leader in growth across the EU.
It also recognises the importance of updating labour migration policies and having a holistic approach which the proposed Labour Migration Policy is proposing. The Association is glad the policy is open for consultation since it is deeply concerned about the potential unintended consequences of a number of proposals put forward.
The Council and its members are carefully reviewing the policy and its implications to provide recommendations that safeguard both Malta’s economic momentum and its reputation as a business-friendly nation.
However, at first glance, it is evident that certain provisions risk limiting company growth and competitiveness by introducing unnecessary hurdles that punish legitimate businesses instead of addressing the root cause of the problem: rogue players who exploit TCNs and abuse regulatory systems for profit.
It is essential to recognise that workforce mobility and turnover are natural byproducts of economic progress and upskilling. Penalising companies, especially those specialising in entry-level roles, for these realities demonstrates a lack of understanding of how the labour market functions. A worker cannot be made to stay in a job if he or she wants to move on.
AFTA is committed to working constructively with policymakers, but we must emphasise that growth must not be limited under the guise of regulation. Stricter enforcement and targeted action against rogue employers, not blanket restrictions, are the only sustainable ways forward.
AFTA and its members will continue their detailed review of the Labour Migration Policy and will provide comprehensive sustainable recommendations to Government in due course. The Association hopes these recommendations will lead to the necessary changes to the proposed policy. This will avoid throwing the baby out with the bathwater.
