Social dialogue and decent work in Malta

Abstract

This article investigates the relationship between social dialogue and decent work in Malta. The Maltese economy, which is passing through considerable restructuring, is growing at a faster rate than the EU average, and is creating sufficient jobs to keep unemployment at a low level. However, a number of challenges threaten these positive trends and put pressure on the country’s future economic and social wellbeing. Social dialogue plays a fundamental role in improving Malta’s economic performance while enhancing working conditions. At a policy level, social partners push forward their interests through various means such as the participation on official bodies, fora and mass media, and the drafting of policy documents. Collective bargaining also plays a major role in improving working conditions in Malta. Social partners are faced with the challenge of remaining strong and relevant. They need to invest more on capacity-building and on educating workers. Increased trust between social partners would create more synergies required to confront emerging labour market realities. An overhaul of the employment and industrial legislation may provide a better framework through which social dialogue takes place, with the consequent positive effects on decent work.