Unemployment and job vacancies in Malta

Abstract

Each person is aware of his/her right to work. National employment policies are intended to protect and respect this right of the individual. However, as is pointed out in Chapter I, several difficulties are to be encountered in the formulation of sound employment policy. Definitely, it cannot rely on available data without qualifying them. Data on employment, however, provide the basis on which future trends in the Maltese Labour Force may be worked out. The importance of a proper institutional framework, which complements an employment policy, is emphasized in Chapter Two. This chapter analyses the development of the institutional set-up since 1959, and, the efforts made by the local authorities, through Central Planning, at job creation policies. Chapter Three studies the employment contribution by the Manufacturing and Tourist Sectors - the local promoters of a self-sustained economic growth process. This is followed by a brief look at the 1975 employment situation. An attempt is also made to arrive at the level of job vacancies which will be required if the projected employment target for 1980 is to be attained. Comments on the Maltese employment scene and some employment policy "guidelines" conclude the study.