Since 2013, the government has turned public sector employment in Gozo into a political tool rather than an economic necessity. Instead of supporting private businesses and fostering growth, politicians have built an oversized workforce reliant on state salaries. Every job created strengthens electoral control, draining resources and making the economy dependent on artificial employment rather than real productivity.
National Statistics Office (NSO) latest employment figures show that in Gozo and Comino, approximately one in three workers (29.4%) rely on government wages. This ratio is less pronounced in Malta, where the government employment accounts for one in five workers (20.2%). Government ministers present this as progress, but it suffocates businesses desperate for skilled workers. Many prefer government jobs not for the work itself but for the stability, minimal workload, and added benefit of earning elsewhere.
The Gozo Ministry's Strategy and Support Division stands at the heart of this problem. With about 800 employees spread across 35 departments, it consumes a large portion of public sector wages, yet services remain inefficient. A National Audit Office (NAO) report exposed financial abuse in 2021, when the Ministry spent nearly €1 million on overtime and allowances with no convincing justification. Instead of compensating actual work, these funds functioned as an informal salary boost, keeping workers satisfied and politically loyal.
The claims made for overtime lacked credibility because of a lack of supporting evidence or inconsistencies in the documentation. Officers received extra pay even when no additional work was done. Some listed a full day of overtime on weekends and public holidays while delivering far fewer hours. The ministry ignored reminders from auditors to provide records justifying these payments. Attendance sheets were a joke-some employees signed their own records, while others submitted illegible entries that supervisors approved, anyway. The system allowed abuse, without effective regulation.
Public sector jobs in Gozo have become more about securing a financial safety net than contributing to the country's progress. Taxpayers fund salaries for workers who provide little or no service. Instead of fixing the problem, the government continues expanding public sector employment, knowing that each new job strengthens voter dependency.
Private businesses, particularly in construction, tourism, and services, struggle to compete. Government jobs offer stability with little pressure, making them more attractive than private roles-even when wages are better elsewhere. Skilled tradespeople prefer state employment, leaving businesses unable to replace similarly experienced staff. Employers cannot expand because the government's political agenda has hijacked the labour pool.
The lack of oversight in public sector employment runs deeper than overtime abuse. The Gozo Ministry's failure to regulate attendance records shows that efficiency was never the goal. Public sector employment secures votes, not services. Workers feel indebted to the government for their salaries, ensuring political loyalty. Thousands of employees prioritise job security over national interest when casting their votes, reinforcing the system in every election.
Economic indicators portray a gloomy picture, clearly illustrating the significant damage sustained. Between 2013 and 2022, private sector jobs in Gozo grew by 81%, while public sector jobs increased by only 7.5%. On paper, this suggests a shift toward business-led growth, but in reality, the government remains the dominant employer. Despite private sector expansion, businesses struggle to fill roles. Economic models show that 1,000 new public sector jobs over a decade increase Gross Domestic Product (GDP) by 4.9% while reducing productivity. The same number of private sector jobs in finance, IT, or professional services would generate an 8.8% GDP boost with higher productivity. Politicians continue choosing the weaker economic path because it guarantees voter dependence.
Gozo's future cannot survive on inefficiency and corruption. The Gozo Ministry's misuse of overtime and allowances is just one example of a broader problem. Every unnecessary salary paid weakens the economy as taxpayers fund jobs that do nothing to boost productivity. Businesses suffer from an artificial labour shortage while the government manipulates employment figures to appear successful.
Stricter regulations and accountability for system abusers were called for in the Auditor General's report. The government responded with excuses, claiming that overtime discrepancies resulted from workers forgetting to sign attendance sheets. The Ministry even defended illegible handwriting, arguing that supervisors could still recognise employees' signatures. This response confirmed what everyone already knew-politicians have no intention of fixing the problem.
The culture of habitual overtime reinforces the idea that government jobs exist for financial gain, not public service. One officer claimed overtime for 11 consecutive months, exposing a system that rewards inefficiency. The Ministry failed to ensure additional work was necessary before approving payments. No one questioned why overtime had become standard practice rather than an exception. The message remains clear: government jobs exist as a financial cushion, not to serve the public.
We cannot ignore these long-term economic risks. Public sector wages depend on tax revenues, which require a thriving private sector. If businesses struggle because of labour shortages, government income declines. This creates a cycle where tax increases or rising national debt become the only options to sustain public sector salaries. The country is already running on a €10.5 billion national debt, and Gozo's bloated public sector is contributing to this problem.
Politicians use public sector jobs to secure votes, not to strengthen the economy. Workers enter these roles knowing expectations are low, oversight is weak, and alternative employment remains an option. The government enables this irregularity by refraining from implementing proper controls. Businesses struggle, productivity stagnates, and economic progress remains an afterthought.
Gozo cannot afford to continue down this path. Public sector jobs must reflect actual needs, not political interests. Employment should exist to improve services, not guarantee electoral wins. The cycle of double employment, habitual overtime, and financial waste must end. The misuse of public sector positions for political survival by the Government will continue to hinder Gozo's development.