Malta - Working conditions



Maltese wages are low by comparison with other European nations. The nation's minimum wage is US$2.96 per hour, or US$118.50 per week. The average wage for skilled workers is US$175 per week. There are legally enforced annual bonuses and generous vacation periods. Bonuses average US$10.58 per week and vacations average 4 weeks per year. Employers underwrite the cost of workers' health care. The standard working week is 40 hours, but some industries are allowed to operate 43 to 45 hours per week. The Maltese labor force numbers 145,590 people.

The Maltese workforce is well-educated and productive. Foreign firms are attracted to Malta because of the low labor costs and the educated workforce. Most Maltese speak English, and worker productivity compares favorably to that of most European nations. The result is that even foreign-owned businesses are usually staffed and managed by Maltese employees. Workers have the right to unionize and to strike, but the islands have one of the lowest strike rates in Europe. There are 35 registered unions in Malta, and about half of the work-force belongs to a union. National laws require unions and companies to meet each year with government officials to draft annual agreements on wages and working conditions.

Employment of children under the age of 16 is prohibited, although many children work part-time in the tourist trade during the summer. Children under the age of 17 may be paid US$108 per week, while 17-year-olds can make US$111 per week. Women are under-represented in the workforce, especially in management positions. In addition, women are often paid less than men in similar occupations. Furthermore, the traditional nature of Maltese society leads many women to stop working after marriage.

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