A new mandatory course has been introduced for third-country nationals already in Malta, focusing on Maltese culture and the Maltese language, the government announced on Friday.
The syllabus for this course was prepared by the Ministry for Home Affairs, Security and Employment, and it will be available to be offered by all licensed Maltese educational institutions.
This course, for which attendance is mandatory, also includes an examination, the statement announcing the news said.
While applications can be submitted through the Identità website, the exam will be coordinated by the Government’s Examinations Department.
“This course makes it possible for these third-country nationals working in our country to be granted a longer permit renewal. However, this will only be granted if the person is already trained, received training while in Malta, or after successfully completing this course and passing the examination,” the Home Affairs Ministry said.
This was a measure announced in the Malta Labour Migration Policy, aimed at introducing stability in the labour market, meaning that those who have been trained and have learned about Malta contribute more, as explained by Minister for Home Affairs, Security and Employment Byron Camilleri.
“Foreign nationals who come to work in our country have the obligation to adapt to us, and not the other way around. That is why we launched this course, as promised in the Malta Labour Migration Policy; they must also sit for and pass an exam to be considered, based on a number of other conditions, for a two-year permit instead of a one-year permit. In this way, we will have workers who are better trained and more adapted to Maltese society. This is the way forward; this is the path we have designed, implemented, and are now reaping the benefits of,” Minister Camilleri said.
A worker employed in a role considered low-skilled must complete this training programme and examination, covering areas such as Maltese culture, traditions, civic participation, legal awareness, personal and professional development, and the learning of the Maltese and English languages, to be considered for a longer permit.
Meanwhile, if the employment is considered higher-skilled, the two-year extension is granted on the basis of training. Naturally, the period must always be covered by an employment contract. In specialised schemes such as the Key Employment Initiative (KEI), the Special Employment Initiative (SEI), and the Blue Card directive, renewals of up to three years can be made. A three-year renewal is also possible for someone who has obtained a higher-level skills card in tourism and has a three-year employment contract.
PN says that it had proposed course for TCNs two and a half years ago
“What is being proposed today regarding Maltese language and culture courses for foreign workers had already been put forward by the Partit Nazzjonalista two and a half years ago,” the PN said in a statement replying to the announcement.
“Today, it appears that the Government is recognising that what the PN proposed a long time ago is necessary and should be the way forward,” the party said.
The party said that had the Government not been stubborn and taken these decisions when they were proposed by the Opposition in October 2023, the Maltese and Gozitan people would already be benefiting today.
“The PN believes in forward-looking, proactive policymaking,” the PN said.
The party said that the Government is now aligning itself with what the PN proposed two and a half years ago to address the issue of uncontrolled population growth by ensuring that foreign workers in our country truly possess the necessary skills for their employment to generate added value for the economy.
“This is proof that the PN is an alternative government that does not procrastinate, but delivers,” the party said.
The statement was signed by PN MPs Ivan Castillo and Darren Carabott who are the Shadow Minister for Employment, the Maritime Sector and Aviation and Shadow Minister for Home Affairs and Security respectively.