Malta’s ‘Job insecurity’ Hotspot: Reforming Definite Contracts for a Fairer Future

Imagine this: You’ve been working at the same company in Malta for over two years, yet your contract keeps rolling over on a month-to-month basis. You’re a ‘definite’ employee, but your future is anything but certain. This isn’t a hypothetical scenario, but a reality for thousands of Maltese workers. Now, Momentum is pushing for change, advocating for definite contracts to truly live up to their name.

Uncertainty: The Norm for Maltese Workers

Malta’s labour market is a complex tapestry, woven with a mix of permanent, fixed-term, and definite contracts. While definite contracts are meant to provide stability, the reality is far from certain. Many employers exploit a loophole, renewing these contracts on a monthly basis, keeping workers in a state of perpetual uncertainty. This isn’t just an inconvenience; it’s a barrier to planning, saving, and even starting a family.

Take, for instance, Sarah, a 32-year-old marketing professional working in Msida. She’s been with her company for over two years, but her contract is renewed every month. “I can’t plan for the future,” she laments, “I don’t know if I’ll have a job next month, let alone next year.” Sarah’s story is echoed across Malta, from Birkirkara to Zebbug.

Momentum’s Call for Change

Momentum, Malta’s progressive political party, is championing a reform that would limit the renewal of definite contracts to a maximum of two years. This, they argue, would provide the stability workers need without hindering employers’ flexibility. “It’s about balance,” explains Ivan Grech Mintoff, Momentum’s spokesperson on employment. “Employers need flexibility, but workers need security.”

Momentum’s proposal isn’t just about numbers; it’s about people. It’s about Sarah being able to save for a home, about parents being able to plan for their children’s education, about workers being able to invest in their futures. It’s about turning ‘definite’ contracts into a true promise of stability.

Navigating the Path to Reform

The road to reform won’t be easy. Employers argue that flexibility is key to Malta’s economic success. They point to the island’s agile response to the COVID-19 pandemic, enabled in part by the current system. But Momentum counters that stability doesn’t mean rigidity. “We’re not asking for the impossible,” Grech Mintoff insists, “we’re asking for fairness.”

The debate is heating up, with trade unions and employer organizations both weighing in. The government, meanwhile, is listening. Minister for Employment and Industrial Relations, Owen Bonnici, has acknowledged the issue, promising to “study the proposal seriously.”

As the discussion unfolds, one thing is clear: Malta’s workers deserve better. They deserve contracts that live up to their name, that provide the stability and security they need to build their lives. They deserve a future they can plan for, a future they can count on. And Momentum is leading the charge to make that future a reality.

“This isn’t just about contracts,” Grech Mintoff concludes, “it’s about dignity. It’s about respect. It’s about time we give Maltese workers the security they deserve.”