Here are three work stories from Malta this week, about employers investing in their people and about the workforce itself.
Bank of Valletta puts well-being on the agenda
The Malta Chamber reports that Bank of Valletta, working with the Karl Vella Foundation, organised a well-being workshop for employees from across the Bank. It was held in Rabat and had two sessions led by Mark Calleja.
The first session looked at grief and how individuals and families experience loss differently. The second looked at psychological safety and compassion at work, and how trust and connection can strengthen well-being and relationships. According to the Chamber, employees spoke openly about grief and took part in conversations about a subject that is often avoided. Many attendees said they valued having a safe space to do this.
Mr Calleja encouraged more organisations to hold similar events for their staff.
The workshop is part of the Bank's ongoing work with the Foundation. The Bank has supported the Foundation's Because You Matter programme for years. The Chamber says the programme has supported more than 400 people, and 254 beneficiaries currently receive emotional support and one-to-one or family therapy. The service is for patients, donors and carers who travel abroad for specialised medical treatment.
For employers, it is a concrete example of making room for hard conversations at work.
The Malta Chamber helps employers support their staff
The Malta Chamber also reports on an information session called Do Not Look Away – Gender-Based Violence is also a Business Issue. It is part of a project led by The Malta Chamber Foundation, called Strengthening Employer Response to Gender Based Violence. The project is funded by the Commission on Gender-Based Violence and Domestic Violence through the Together We Empower programme.
The session gave participants practical information on what employers can do. Dr Matthew Brincat of Ganado Advocates spoke about employers' legal obligations to keep workplaces free from harassment. Louise Calleja, Assistant Commissioner at the Malta Police Force, gave an overview of the forms of violence that victims experience. A panel moderated by Rachel Bondi Attard looked at how employers and HR professionals can turn awareness into action. That includes recognising possible signs, responding sensitively and offering support.
The Chamber says safer workplaces need informed leadership, clear procedures and appropriate training, and not just policies on paper. The project aims to give businesses the knowledge and tools to respond well.
A snapshot of who works where
BusinessNow reports on a recent BOV analysis of the Maltese job market, which shows how the mix of Maltese, EU and third-country national workers differs by sector.
In the report, third-country nationals make up around 55 per cent of the workforce in accommodation and food services, and some 45 per cent in construction. In human health and social work they make up 38 per cent. Maltese workers are the large majority in public administration and defence (some 97 per cent), electricity, gas and AC supply (88 per cent), and in education and agriculture (83 per cent each). EU nationals are most present in arts, entertainment and recreation, which includes iGaming, at around 33 per cent, and in information and communication at 24 per cent.
For job seekers, the figures show which sectors have workforces from many countries. For employers, they give a picture of the labour market they are hiring in.
Sources
The Malta Chamber – Bank of Valletta Karl Vella Foundation bring employee well-being into the workplace – maltachamber.org.mt/bank-of-valletta-karl-vella-foundation-bring-employee-well-being-into-the-workplace
The Malta Chamber – Beyond Awareness: Empowering Businesses to Tackle Gender-Based Violence – maltachamber.org.mt/beyond-awareness-empowering-businesses-to-tackle-gender-based-violence
BusinessNow – Which Maltese sectors are most reliant on TCN workers? – businessnow.mt/which-maltese-sectors-are-most-reliant-on-tcn-workers