Employment

Malta is a small island nation located in the Mediterranean, and it's become an increasingly popular destination for expats and international workers. With its beautiful landscapes, vibrant culture, and growing economy, Malta has a lot to offer those looking to work abroad. However, before you can start working in Malta, you'll need to obtain a work permit.

Malta has a fast-developing economy & a rising demand for both local and international employees. Thanks to the EU employment rules policies, employers now have a vast pool of job seekers to choose from. So, here are all the necessary steps and requirements of successful employee recruitment Malta.

According to the Maltese labour law, employment is usually on a contract basis between the employee and his or her employer as long as statutory employment conditions are adhered to. Although the law regulates certain employment conditions, others are left for the two parties to agree upon before the employee can start work. The law ensures that the only enforced provisions are those that favour the employee without any discrimination. Collective agreements also work in the same manner as an employment contract, where they bind the employer to the agreement and members of the trade union that negotiates on behalf of employees.

Depending on your type of contract and how long you have been working for your employer, there’s a notice period for the termination of employment, that must be observed no matter which party (you or the employer) wants to terminate your employment position. In case you’re still going through the 1-month initial probationary period, notification must be made a week in advance. For indefinite contracts beginning after the probationary period, the notice period will grow in proportion to your time in that employment position:

According to local law, all employees working a 40-hour week have a right to 192 hours of paid leave each year. That’s exactly 24 working days of annual leave, or 4 weeks and 4 days, assuming you work 8 hours daily and 5 days per week. In case your average time of regular work (overtime not included) is above or below 40 hours, your vacation leave should be adjusted in proportion. To read the official regulations from the Organization of Working Time Regulations, see L.N. 247/2003.

Malta’s employment rate is one of the most impressive in the EU, with the third-lowest unemployment rate at only 4.1%. The seasonally-adjusted unemployment rate of the Euro area is falling, though – it is currently 8.9%, after being 9% in August 2017 and 9.9% in September 2016, which is the lowest rate since 2009. Eurostat, the EU’s statistical office, released figures stating that the overall EU employment rate is 7.5%, which is the lowest it has been since November 2008.