Malta : trade union resilience in a changing environment

Abstract

Malta’s trade union movement appears healthier than the movements in several other member states of the European Union (EU). Total union membership has more than doubled since 1980, although the rate of increase has slowed considerably over the past twenty years (see Table 20.1). Despite shrinking unionization rates and collective bargaining coverage, trade unions still officially represent around 45 percent of workers, while collective bargaining coverage is around 50 percent. It is noteworthy that collective agreements in the private sector are signed only at company level and there are no ‘erga omnes’ extension provisions. Conversely, the public service has two tiers of collective bargaining: a general agreement covering all employees is complemented by a number of agreements at the industry level. Union membership is becoming more varied. The female share of union membership has increased substantially since 1980, and the proportion of foreign members appears to have grown, too. This increasing heterogeneity is not sufficiently reflected in union leadership, however, which is still largely composed of Maltese men. Furthermore, union structures do not necessarily give sufficient attention to the interests of the new types of members. The Covid-19 pandemic has accentuated the plight of several adversely hit groups of workers, including foreigners, which has prompted unions to take public stands to protect the rights of these workers.