Call for foreign university students to be allowed to work

The University Students' Council (KSU), with the support of 11 other student organisations, has drafted a report urging the authorities to allow international full-time university students to be able to work while they study at the University of Malta.

The report, the result of over a year of research and studies, gives an overview of the legal position of a number of EU and non-EU countries concerning the possibility of work for international students studying in that country for the duration of their course.

The report proposes how similar legislation may be implemented in Malta.

Foreign students in Malta have to apply for work permits to be able to seek employment here.

Interviews, conducted by the KSU with international students, show that there are a large number of them who work illegally in sub-standard work places and for low wages to be able to maintain themselves as well as gain hands-on experience while attending university.

While the situation will improve with Malta's imminent accession into the European Union, there are still a large number of students who do not hail from the EU and will therefore still be in a situation where they cannot support themselves while studying, the KSU said.

Although these students can pay their tuition fees, which are rising every year, they would appreciate the opportunity to work legally.

The KSU believes that the situation cannot continue and if the University of Malta wants to continue to attract international students the situation must be dealt with. The KSU believes that all full time students attending university should have the same opportunities.

The KSU will publish the report once it has been presented to Social Policy Minister Lawrence Gonzi.