The island nation of Malta is facing a significant labor shortage in 20 occupations, according to a recent report by the EURES. In response, the government has launched the Specialist Employee Initiative (SEI), aimed at attracting highly-skilled foreign workers to fill these vacancies.
The occupations experiencing shortages include :
- Manufacturing
- Construction
- Healthcare
- Food Service
- Hospitality
- Business
- Administration
- Transportation
With a population of approximately 542,000 people, Malta relies heavily on foreign workers to fill job vacancies across various sectors.
The EURES report identifies specific roles that are facing a shortage of workers in Malta, including messengers, package deliverers and luggage porters, manufacturing laborers, building construction laborers, and more. The report highlights the need for highly skilled workers in these areas to support the country’s economic growth.
The Specialist Employee Initiative provides an alternative for highly skilled nationals from developing countries who may not qualify for the Key Employee Initiative but possess relevant academic or technical skills for their job offer in Malta. However, these foreign nationals must have signed a contract with a Maltese-registered company to be eligible to apply.
The Malta Employer Association (MEA) also recognizes the importance of foreign workers in the country’s logistics industry. At a recent National Forum hosted by MEA, President Joanne Bondin emphasized the crucial role of foreign workers in supporting and boosting economic growth. “EU and non-EU nationals have filled employment gaps in the logistics sector that might have otherwise hindered its development,” she said. “They augment the labor force, enabling companies to meet the escalating demand for their services.”
Foreign workers from non-EU countries are required to obtain a visa to work in Malta through various types of work permits, including the single permit, key employment initiative, and EU Blue Card. The SEI aims to attract highly skilled workers who can contribute to Malta’s economic growth and development.
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