In a bid to address labor market skill shortages, Malta has rolled out the "Specialist Employee Initiative," a new program aimed at expediting the entry of skilled foreign workers into the country. This initiative is designed to streamline the application process for skilled individuals and help meet the growing demand for specialized talent.
Under the Specialist Employee Initiative, individuals who hold university degrees or possess qualifications in managerial or technical roles and earn an annual income of at least €25,000 are eligible to apply. However, there is a crucial condition that employers must meet to nominate their employees for the scheme – they must demonstrate that no Maltese or EU workers are available to fill the position.
The most notable feature of this program is its rapid processing time, with applications of skilled third-country nationals being handled within just 15 working days. This stands in contrast to the "Key Employee Initiative," which served as the inspiration for the Specialist Employee Initiative and fast-tracks applications for highly paid managers or technicians in as little as five days.
The move to introduce this initiative comes as Malta has witnessed a significant influx of foreign workers, which has surged from 15,000 in 2012 to 97,000 in 2022 – a remarkable 546% increase, as reported by Jobsplus. Furthermore, a Eurobarometer survey conducted the previous year highlighted that nearly two-thirds of businesses in Malta were grappling with skills shortages within the local labor market.
The influx of migrants, particularly from non-EU countries, has raised concerns regarding worker exploitation and strained resources, including housing and transportation infrastructure. Maltese citizens have voiced their apprehensions about the impact of this migration wave.
Responding to these concerns, Prime Minister Robert Abela asserted that while the government is actively working to manage population growth, the local workforce supply falls short of meeting the demand. The introduction of the Specialist Employee Initiative aligns with the government's commitment to bridging skill gaps and ensuring a smoother integration of skilled foreign workers.
With the implementation of this fast-track process, the Maltese government aims to strike a balance between fulfilling labor market demands and addressing the challenges associated with increased migration, as well as the concerns raised by its citizens.
Additionally, according to the AIDA Asylum Information Database report, a total of 973 people applied for asylum in Malta in 2022, bringing the total number of pending cases to 1,730. Of these, 15 individuals were granted refugee status, and 172 were offered subsidiary protection. However, 783 applications were rejected, resulting in a rejection rate of 30%, while the refugee status rate was 0.6%. Subsidiary protection was granted to 6.5% of applicants. The primary countries of origin for asylum seekers were Syria (243), Eritrea (93), Bangladesh (78), and Ukraine (92).
Let's discuss the pros and cons of Malta's Specialist Employee Initiative:
Pros:
Under the Specialist Employee Initiative, individuals who hold university degrees or possess qualifications in managerial or technical roles and earn an annual income of at least €25,000 are eligible to apply. However, there is a crucial condition that employers must meet to nominate their employees for the scheme – they must demonstrate that no Maltese or EU workers are available to fill the position.
The most notable feature of this program is its rapid processing time, with applications of skilled third-country nationals being handled within just 15 working days. This stands in contrast to the "Key Employee Initiative," which served as the inspiration for the Specialist Employee Initiative and fast-tracks applications for highly paid managers or technicians in as little as five days.
The move to introduce this initiative comes as Malta has witnessed a significant influx of foreign workers, which has surged from 15,000 in 2012 to 97,000 in 2022 – a remarkable 546% increase, as reported by Jobsplus. Furthermore, a Eurobarometer survey conducted the previous year highlighted that nearly two-thirds of businesses in Malta were grappling with skills shortages within the local labor market.
The influx of migrants, particularly from non-EU countries, has raised concerns regarding worker exploitation and strained resources, including housing and transportation infrastructure. Maltese citizens have voiced their apprehensions about the impact of this migration wave.
Responding to these concerns, Prime Minister Robert Abela asserted that while the government is actively working to manage population growth, the local workforce supply falls short of meeting the demand. The introduction of the Specialist Employee Initiative aligns with the government's commitment to bridging skill gaps and ensuring a smoother integration of skilled foreign workers.
With the implementation of this fast-track process, the Maltese government aims to strike a balance between fulfilling labor market demands and addressing the challenges associated with increased migration, as well as the concerns raised by its citizens.
Additionally, according to the AIDA Asylum Information Database report, a total of 973 people applied for asylum in Malta in 2022, bringing the total number of pending cases to 1,730. Of these, 15 individuals were granted refugee status, and 172 were offered subsidiary protection. However, 783 applications were rejected, resulting in a rejection rate of 30%, while the refugee status rate was 0.6%. Subsidiary protection was granted to 6.5% of applicants. The primary countries of origin for asylum seekers were Syria (243), Eritrea (93), Bangladesh (78), and Ukraine (92).
Let's discuss the pros and cons of Malta's Specialist Employee Initiative:
Pros:
- Addressing Skill Shortages: One of the primary advantages of the program is its ability to address skill shortages in the labor market. By fast-tracking skilled foreign workers, it helps fill crucial positions that may not be readily available with local or EU workers, promoting economic growth.
- Attracting Talent: The initiative can attract talented professionals and experts from various fields to Malta. This influx of skilled individuals can contribute to the country's development, innovation, and competitiveness.
- Efficiency: The fast-track processing time of 15 working days (compared to the previous five days for highly paid managers or technicians) speeds up the hiring process, allowing employers to onboard skilled workers quickly and efficiently.
- Global Integration: It promotes global integration by welcoming professionals from diverse backgrounds, fostering cultural diversity and exchange of knowledge.
- Competition for Local Workers: The requirement for employers to prove the unavailability of local or EU workers may result in perceived competition for jobs, potentially causing tension between local and foreign workers.
- Pressure on Resources: An influx of foreign workers, if not properly managed, can put pressure on resources such as housing, transportation, and healthcare. This may lead to increased demand and costs for these services.
- Possible Exploitation: The surge in foreign workers could create opportunities for unscrupulous employers to exploit them due to their reliance on work permits and legal status.
- Social Integration Challenges: Rapid migration can pose challenges related to social integration and cultural assimilation, which may need to be addressed through supportive policies and programs.
- Impact on Wages: The program could potentially impact wage levels in certain sectors if there is an oversupply of skilled foreign workers, leading to lower wage growth for both locals and foreigners.
- Dependency on Foreign Labor: Overreliance on foreign labor may hinder the development of local talent and skills, as companies may prioritize hiring from abroad over investing in local workforce development.
