Jobsplus received a total of 284 employee termination forms between the 16th March and 22nd March, Minister for Education and Employment Owen Bonnici said in Parliament.

This week in question was the first where Malta had to face measures deemed necessary by the government in order to safeguard the health and safety of its citizens amidst the outbreak of COVID-19 in Malta.  The measures saw a multitude of businesses across various industries have to close their doors.

Bonnici was replying to a question made by PN MP Ivan Bartolo during a parliamentary session.

Bonnici added that between the 16th and the 20th of March only 11 people had registered for unemployment. Thus, the total figure in Malta of unemployment within the country amounted to 1,670. 

The figures come hot on the heels of a new economic package announced by the government yesterday, the aim of which is to safeguard jobs and help businesses survive the economic situation brought about by COVID-19.