Prime Minister Robert Abela has said that workers’ conditions in Malta have continued to improve thanks to progressive forces and strong social dialogue, as he addressed the General Workers’ Union Congress on the challenges and opportunities facing employees in an era of technological and geopolitical change.

Addressing the General Workers’ Union (GWU) Congress under the theme ‘Il-Ħidma Tkompli,’ Prime Minister Robert Abela spoke of the importance of social dialogue in continuing to improve workers’ conditions, even at a time of technological transformation and geopolitical challenges that require strong leadership in favour of families.

Abela said the GWU had been instrumental in Malta’s development, helping to achieve social progress and important gains for Maltese and Gozitan workers.

“Over the years, workers’ conditions continued to improve because our country had progressive forces, including trade unions such as the GWU,” Abela said.

He said that through collective effort, Malta had concluded numerous collective agreements offering better wages and working conditions.

“Last year alone, no fewer than 41 agreements were signed, improving conditions and salaries for thousands of workers in the Public Service and Public Sector. More than half of these, around 25, were signed with the GWU,” Abela said.

Abela said that government’s principles remain firmly in favour of workers’ rights, decent income for workers and their families, and social support, particularly for those most in need.

However, he said that these principles can only be sustained through a strong economy, which remains the guarantee for continued social progress.

Abela said that Malta must remain focused on workers’ priorities in a dynamic economy.

“Today, for every person who registers for work, there are seven vacant jobs. We are no longer only talking about job creation, but about quality, rewarding careers, even in sectors that were not traditionally associated with quality careers, such as manufacturing,” Abela said.

Referring to digital transformation and artificial intelligence, Abela said Malta must be a pioneer of progress.

He said that government will continue to invest in workers more than ever before, ensuring they have the best skills to use new technologies.

Abela recalled that the current Budget includes the ‘AI for All’ vision, offering free courses and certifications for everyone, including workers.

He also noted that Malta had launched a national AI strategy seven years ago, most of which had been implemented, and which has now been updated to keep Malta among the most AI-friendly countries.

Abela spoke of key Budget measures already being implemented, including the second consecutive tax cut, pension increases, and a scheme to boost private-sector wages.

Under this measure, government will subsidise up to 80% of the wage increase given by employers to workers in stable employment, he said.

Abela also said that this year marks the sixth year since Maltese and Gozitan workers stopped losing public holidays that fall on weekends.

He said that workers are also receiving three additional leave days this year to compensate for public holidays falling on Saturdays or Sundays.

Abela referred to the extension of the principle of Equal Pay for Work of Equal Value to the private sector, saying Malta is now in its second year of applying this principle to strengthen workers’ rights against past injustices.

He added that the Labour Migration Policy has protected Maltese workers while ensuring that every worker in Malta is treated with dignity.

In his concluding remarks, the Prime Minister thanked the GWU for its work and urged it to continue advancing proposals and ideas that further strengthen workers, their families and pensioners.