The first 34 temping agencies have been licensed, the government said.

"This way, they are regularised and are in conformity with new laws that came into force earlier this year, which will start being enforced from 1 June," the government said.

These licenses were issued during a ceremony.

Parliamentary Secretary for Social Dialogue Andy Ellul said that "this is a historic moment for the employment sector."

He said that these agencies operate in difference sectors, including those related to security officers, the health sector, administrative work, cleaning work, specialised areas within the hospitality sector, technical services, and even those that recruit professionals in different sectors, he said. Ellul added that these licensed opperators satisfied a number of criteria and have certain professional standards they must uphold.

The authorities, through this license, will for the first time have visibility and be able to monotor the operators within this sector, he said, "in particular foreign workers who are registered with them. He said that with these laws only workers that are needed will come to the country, while also avoiding abuse of the workers themselves.  

"All this to help so that we attract only the skills that are needed for our economy, and that way we want to focus on quality and not quantity, where there will be better wages and conditions for the workers as well," he said.

"We created regulations that will not only help protect workers' rights more tangibly, but will also help employment agencies in their operations," Ellul said.