A healthy economy is one that benefits families and ensures a healthy future for our children, with one of the fundamental aspects of this being quality work with excellent conditions. This is why the Government, in the budget announced for 2026, is once again strengthening the Maltese worker.
This became clear during a visit by the Minister for Home Affairs, Security and Employment Byron Camilleri and the Parliamentary Secretary for Social Dialogue Andy Ellul to the Neriku Caterers factory. A Maltese company that supplies customers with food for different events. A company that today employs more than 130 workers, the majority of whom are Maltese who have been working with the same company for years.
In a discussion with workers, Minister Byron Camilleri said that this is evidence of how when one invests in the worker, one benefits from quality workers while families benefit. He explained how this was the thinking behind the measure that will be providing support for the increase in salaries and training of workers. A new scheme through which the Government is encouraging businesses to increase the salaries of workers who have been with the company for at least 4 years.
The Government will provide a subsidy of 65% of the increase, up to €780 in Malta and 80% of the increase, up to €960 in Gozo. With the aim of rewarding diligence, retaining experienced workers, providing them with further training and increasing wages in the private sector, as has already been done in the Public Sector.
Minister Byron Camilleri explained how this measure goes hand in hand with the aim of the Malta Labour Migration Policy, the implementation of which looks at stability in the labour market. While we understand that there are sectors that require workers from third countries, also because this is a country whose population is ageing, and with a low fertility rate. We also know that it makes no sense to have employers with a model that brings workers from third countries without focusing on the conditions and skills of existing workers. Therefore, said the Minister, we are rewarding those who maintain the work force they have and not those who constantly remove workers to bring in new ones. In fact, with the announced measures, those who remove people indiscriminately to constantly bring in others are paying a price, including by having permits for new workers suspended. While those who are exemplary in the market are being rewarded with such schemes, as a better wage makes business more attractive to workers.
Parliamentary Secretary Andy Ellul said that this is a clear example of how the Government is working to continue to strengthen employers and workers. He added that a successful policy is not one that promises everything to everyone, but one that creates a balance between the needs of businesses and workers, while pointing out that when workers are motivated, this leads to an increase in productivity.
Parliamentary Secretary Ellul added that the Government is giving a clear signal to Maltese businesses to invest in local talent, in the skills and in the well-being of their workers. He concluded by saying that this is the way to build a quality economy – where economic growth has a direct effect on the quality of life of Maltese families.
Karl Zammit, Director of Neriku Caters, expressed satisfaction with the measures announced in the Budget which will help him continue to invest in his workers. He maintained that a worker with better conditions and in an adequate working environment means a better service for the Maltese and Gozitans. He also noted how in recent years, the economic environment of our country has been fertile ground for businesses to continue to strengthen and offer the best opportunities to the Maltese. With all this, he is a testament to how what is written in black and white is given life in the experiences of families and businesses.
