It is a well-known fact that the majority of Maltese people prefer to communicate in Maltese in their daily lives, with many relying on it as their sole means of expression. The latest national census (2021) clearly shows that Maltese is the primary language for 91% of Maltese citizens aged five and over. This is consistently supported by various studies, including one commissioned by the Department of Maltese in collaboration with the National Council for the Maltese Language and the National Statistics Office (2021), which found that Maltese is the first language for 97% of Maltese citizens aged 18 to 80.

Among other findings, this survey highlighted that Maltese is indispensable for providing services and products in the Maltese market and for communication with employers and, above all, customers.

Another important function of language is that it serves as a primary means of integration into the community. Here, Maltese is essential for effective integration, as foreign workers who speak the language are likely to feel more welcomed and appreciated by the Maltese people. In this way, the national language becomes the common language that unites us.

We also believe that in order for third-country workers in Malta to provide high-quality service, they should be able to speak the local language, as is the case in many other countries. Ultimately, according to the Maltese Language Act (2005), the Maltese State has an obligation, among other things, to “promote through all possible means the widest use of the Maltese language” in all sectors, including economic, social, and cultural spheres.

In this light, the Department of Maltese is making its observations on some of the recommendations related to language that appear in the consultation document “Malta Labour Migration Policy” (January 2025).

• Page 44, Recommendation 3, “Renewal period up from one to two years”:

Workers classified in the International Standard Classification of Occupations (ISCO) levels 5-9 are in direct contact with society. Jobs in these categories include carers for the elderly and persons with disabilities, child care center carers, police officers, traffic wardens, waiters, drivers, technical workers, builders, shop assistants, and others. We do not believe it is sufficient for these workers to present evidence that they are enrolled in training programmes to have their work permits renewed. Instead, they should also be given compulsory basic Maltese training before starting employment. Employers who hire third-country nationals should be required to offer their employees basic Maltese language courses, ideally during working hours. This would help motivate the workers to learn the language more effectively.

• Page 52, Recommendation 17, “Suitability check”:

This recommendation requires low-skilled workers to produce evidence of proficiency in Maltese or English. However, it does not mention workers in sensitive workplaces, such as doctors and nurses. It is essential for these professionals to be able to understand and communicate with those who prefer to use Maltese or who feel uncomfortable using another language to express their health concerns. Additionally, only the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) is mentioned as a measure of proficiency, with no reference to assessing Maltese language proficiency. If language proficiency interviews are conducted, it is not specified who will conduct them or what level of Maltese proficiency is expected.

• Page 58, Recommendation 26, “Integration courses prior to arrival in Malta”:

It is important to offer integration courses before employees from third countries arrive in Malta. However, requiring them to demonstrate fluency solely in English or Maltese upon arrival is not adequate. As noted in our observation on Recommendation 3, these individuals work across all sectors of Maltese life, making basic knowledge of both languages essential for better communication and improved service quality.

The course designed in recent years by ITS to issue a Skills Pass is a step in the right direction but does not include the necessary training in Maltese to enable potential employees to communicate in basic Maltese. This course currently only offers a brief introduction to the national language in the Maltese Tourism Product section, an initiative taken by the National Council for the Maltese Language and the Department of Maltese at the University. For English, there is the essential section ‘Essential English for Hospitality,’ but a similar section for the Maltese language has not yet been added.

Many Maltese, understandably, complain about being unable to access services in various public places when communicating in Maltese. This should not be the case. Foreign workers who have direct contact with the public benefit themselves and their clients if they can communicate in both of Malta’s official languages. Several foreigners who have been in Malta for some time attest that learning Maltese on their own in the workplace has helped them integrate better into Maltese society.

• Page 58, Recommendation 27, “Upskilling and integrating the foreign workforce”:

It is commendable that the Government is ensuring workers continue to improve their skills.

However, according to the recommendation, training programmes “should” (not “shall”) include components that strengthen proficiency in Maltese and English. We believe that one of the criteria for issuing residence permits, citizenship, or permanent visas to third-country nationals should be improving their Maltese knowledge to at least CEFR level A2 in speaking and level B1 in understanding within two years.

Significant financial investment and appropriate human resources are essential to create modern and suitable courses, books, and digital resources for adults to learn Maltese as a foreign language online. Naturally, these courses should be available not only to third- country nationals but also to those coming from the European Union.

The Department of Maltese has started an initiative to provide printed and digital resources for foreign employees in various sectors, including airport and aviation. This is being done in the ‘Learn Maltese’ section of its official website, where users can access essential words and phrases that they may need at work, along with audio recordings which facilitate pronunciation. The Department is committed to expanding this initiative to other sectors.

Apart from extending the “I Belong” program, a partnership with private educational institutions and employers is proposed to expand this integration program. It is worth noting that since 2014, the Department of Maltese at the University, in formal agreement with the Ministry of Health, has been running courses in Basic Medical Maltese for the Healthcare Professions. These courses have successfully trained over 1,800 individuals, including carers, nurses, doctors, and surgeons, who provide services at Mater Dei Hospital, Saint Vincent De Paule, Mount Carmel, and Gozo General Hospital.

The consultation document lists four principles at the core of the proposed policy, the first being: “To prioritise and protect Malta’s hard-working taxpayers.” If we truly wish to embrace this principle, we cannot fail to prioritise our national language, which is the foremost means of expression for our people and the foundation of our identity.