Malta’s ‘Job insecurity’ hotspot: Reforming definite contracts to end workers’ limbo

In the heart of Malta’s bustling Republic Street, where the scent of fresh pastries from Rivoli Café mingles with the hum of tourists and locals alike, stands a stark reminder of the island’s job insecurity issue. The ‘Workers’ Rights’ mural, a vibrant splash of colour on a drab wall, serves as a poignant backdrop to the daily grind of many Maltese workers. Among them, thousands are trapped in a cycle of uncertainty, bound by ‘definite’ contracts that often feel anything but.

Definite contracts: A tale of two definitions

Malta’s definite contracts, intended to provide clarity and security, have instead become a source of ambiguity and anxiety. While the law defines them as lasting for a specified duration, the reality is often murkier. Employers frequently renew these contracts indefinitely, leaving workers in a state of prolonged uncertainty. It’s a situation that Momentum, Malta’s largest trade union, is fighting to change.

“We’re seeing workers stuck in definite contracts for years, sometimes decades,” says Marco Bonnici, Momentum’s General Secretary. “They’re living in a state of limbo, unsure if their job will still be there next month, next year. It’s not the security these contracts were meant to provide.”

Reforming definite contracts: A call for clarity and fairness

Momentum is pushing for reforms that would limit the duration of definite contracts and provide clearer pathways to indefinite contracts. They’re not alone. The Malta Confederation of Industry, Employers and Businesses (CONFEL) also recognises the need for change, albeit with different priorities.

“We agree that definite contracts need reform,” says CONFEL’s Director General, Joseph Farrugia. “But we must ensure that any changes balance the needs of both employers and employees. We don’t want to create more rigidity in the labour market.”

Navigating the path to reform: Challenges and opportunities

Reforming definite contracts won’t be easy. Employers argue that indefinite contracts can tie their hands, making it harder to adapt to economic fluctuations. Workers, however, point to the stress and insecurity caused by long-term definite contracts.

Finding a middle ground will require open dialogue and compromise. It’s a challenge that Momentum and CONFEL are ready to tackle, with the support of the government and the public. Because at the heart of this debate lies a simple truth: Malta’s workers deserve clarity, fairness, and the security that comes with knowing their job is truly definite.

As we stroll down Republic Street, past the ‘Workers’ Rights’ mural, let’s remember the faces of those trapped in job insecurity. Let’s make their stories the driving force behind our push for reform. Because every worker deserves a definite future, not just a definite contract.