The number of third-country nationals employed as Y-plate drivers and food couriers has decreased by 587 from July 1, the Ministry for Home Affairs said in a statement on Friday.

The Ministry said that from July, based on an evaluation carried out by Jobsplus, it was established that Malta has enough Y-plate workers and food couriers. It continued that it was therefore decided that based on the extensive review of the labour market, including the analysis of unemployment registers and vacancies, no new applications for work permits would be accepted in those sectors, including those of individuals still abroad and those who wish to change their employer.

It continued that in this process, Jobsplus is constantly doing labour market tests which verify the actual need of the market for such jobs. Jobsplus said that it is of the opinion that, even after considering the terminations and number of people currently employed in the sectors in question, Malta needs a lower number of workers in the sectors from when the decision was made in July. It added that accordingly, workers from third countries will be accepted in a lesser number than the number that left.

The Ministry said that based on the monitoring and assessment of the labour market, Jobsplus will continue to reject applications for work permits in these sectors from people who are still abroad, meaning that no citizen of a third country will come to Malta for employment in those sectors.

It continued that a limited number of permits will gradually be approved for workers who already have full-time employment in Malta and who have also applied to work part-time in the aforementioned sectors. It added that workers who are already employed in Malta and have applied to work in these sectors will also be included.

With that said, the Ministry reiterated that persons who do not currently have a work permit in Malta will not be considered.