The European Union is an issue we have been hearing about for the last five years. Some people are literally sick of the subject, while others enjoy speaking and hearing about it.
However it is in our best interest as Maltese citizens to find out as much information as possible about what is at stake for Malta in the future. After all, in a few weeks, we will be called to vote in a referendum, as to whether we want Malta to join or to remain outside the EU.
So it is in our best interest to make an informed, wise and well-thought decision when voting in the referendum - at the end of the day, it is our future and that of the country that is at stake.
How will Malta's employment be affected by EU membership? We have heard a lot about the EU, its advantages and disadvantages. The present government set up an independent body, the Malta-EU Information Centre (MIC), to keep the public informed about the implications of the EU.
On the subject, we sought the advice of this centre to help us, as an employment agency, explain how EU membership will affect employment and employability in Malta. How true is it that there will be an exodus of foreign workers taking up residence and work in Malta? Will there be employment opportunities for the Maltese in their own country?
How important is employment for the EU?
Last November the European Commission reported improved performance in EU labour markets, despite the major economic slowdown. It said member states had positive results in creating new jobs and switching to job-friendly policies in spite of a more difficult economic environment.
European Commissioner for Employment and Social Affairs Anna Diamantopoulou was quoted as saying that the performance of member states in 2000 was "impressive", adding that in 2001 it was difficult to retain these results. 2001 saw strong employment growth with two million new jobs created in the EU member states.
The employment rate increased from 63.3 per cent of the working age population in 2000 to 63.9 per cent the following year. The overall unemployment rate came down from 8.2 per cent in 2000 to 7.4 per cent in 2001, while the long-term unemployment rate decreased from 3.7 per cent in 2000 to 3.3 per cent. The female employment rate grew from 54 per cent in 2000 to 54.9 per cent in 2001.
Jobless in the EU in September 2002
The unemployment rate in the 15 member states of the EU remained at 7.6 per cent in September 2002, as in August. The 7.6 per cent amounts to 13.4 million unemployed men and women. The unemployment rate in the EU during September 2001 was 7.3 per cent.
In Malta, statistics available from the Employment and Training Corporation (ETC) show that in September 2002 the number of registered unemployed persons stood at 7,520. In June 2002, the registered unemployed totalled 7,121 (4.9 per cent) as compared to 7,423 (5.1 per cent) a month earlier. In June 2001, there were 6,529 (4.5 per cent) unemployed persons.
Free movement of workers? Total freedom?
One of the main concerns expressed by Eurosceptics was that after membership, Malta would become an alternative destination for jobless people around the EU. The prospect of Sicilians invading the Maltese labour market was mentioned most.
It is useless to deny that the free movement of people throughout the EU is one of most visible consequences of joining the EU. Today, all EU nationals may move freely within the Union, as this right is part and parcel of European citizenship.
The right to freedom of movement of workers is today enshrined in all EU member states. Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland are also granted the right to stay in every other member state for the purpose of employment and to remain there indefinitely.
Freedom of movement entails the abolition of any discrimination based on nationality between workers of the member states as regards employment, remuneration and other conditions of work.
Migrant workers from member states are to be treated on an equal footing with employees possessing the nationality of the respective country of employment, especially with regards to working conditions and social security.
What does it mean for the Maltese?
For us it means that Maltese citizens will be able to move freely throughout all EU countries not just as tourists, but also for the purposes of work, study, training, as well as for the purposes of simple residence or even retirement. The same applies to EU citizens in Malta.
However, the government managed to get a seven-year transitional period. This means that from the first day of membership, Maltese citizens will have the right to seek work in the EU member states while Malta can stop EU citizens from coming to work in Malta.
Malta obtained this seven-year period during which it may apply safeguards on the right of EU workers to seek work in Malta. Restrictions may be imposed unilaterally by Malta in urgent and exceptional cases where the inflow of EU workers puts a strain on the local labour market or elements of it.
After this period, in the event of a massive influx of EU workers in our country, Malta may still seek a remedy through the EU institutions. The EU has accepted Malta's requests in this respect.
The previous restrictions on non-EU nationals seeking work in Malta would continue to apply. So upon membership, Maltese citizens may seek work in all 15 EU countries, in the new member countries of the EU as well as in Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland.
But to come and work here, European citizens have to respect the restriction being imposed by Malta. Maltese citizens and members of their family will have the automatic right of residence in other EU countries. This does not apply to other Europeans before the seven years of membership are over.
Pros and cons
There are two sides to this story - the Eurosceptics say that free movement of people will bring about a decrease in opportunities and that this would threaten the Maltese workers. Eurosceptics claim that the island will be invaded by Europeans who would prefer to work in Malta rather than in their own country.
On the other hand, the Eurofanatics say that the free movement of people was a godsend for Malta. This was because all Maltese will have the golden opportunity of working abroad and gain valuable experience. They also claim that Malta, being at the far south of the EU, should not expect a sudden influx of EU nationals in our island.
Looking at the situation in Malta at the time being, one can say that the island already has EU workers. This means that although we are not members of the European Union, we still have a considerable amount of EU citizens working in Malta.
Have I studied for nothing?
The basic and most fundamental principle laid down by the EU is that if EU citizens are qualified enough to exercise a profession in their home country, they are qualified to exercise the same profession in any other EU country.
Teachers, lawyers, doctors, vets, psychologists, engineers and other professionals who in their home country are regulated by their qualification to be granted permission to work in that profession, would need to apply for recognition to work in another member state. This gives the country's authorities four months to reply to this request.
The unemployed
Unemployed EU citizens may also go on extensive training programmes. These may also include work experience in any member state. Most member states are operating a three or six-month period for an unemployed person to look for a job in any EU country. These unemployment benefits are not paid by the host country but by the country where such person has worked last.
The right to join a trade union
Every worker, whether foreign or local, would have the right to join the trade union of his choice and to exercise his trade union rights. The worker, whether foreign or local, is entitled to social security benefits covering sickness and maternity, disability, old age and other benefits.
These benefits are also applicable for accidents at work, occupational illness, death, unemployment and other allowances.
CSB Employment Agency has been supporting the local business community with its services since 1987. For further information write to Vincenti Buildings, 14/19 Strait Street, Valletta VLT 08, or call 2122 5800 or 2124 6543, fax: 2123 0520, e-mail: jobs@vacancycentre.com, or visit www.VacancyCentre.com