Survey paints rosy picture of work conditions in Malta

Maltese workers are more optimistic than their European colleagues about the prospects of career advancements, even if half of them complain of work-related illnesses, a study has shown.

The first findings of the fourth European Working Conditions Survey paints a rosy picture of working conditions in Malta in comparison to the EU.

Carried out among 600 respondents, the new study drawn up by the EU's European Foundation for the Improvement of Living and Working Conditions, shows improved working conditions when compared to the 2001 survey.

Jorma Karppinen, the foundation's director, told a news conference the study is overall positive for workers in Malta, but there are some areas of serious concern, most notably with regard to health.

Workers in Malta are satisfied with their working conditions, due largely to job security, a positive working atmosphere and good opportunities to learn and grow.

Forty four per cent of the Maltese consider that their job offers good prospects for career advancement, way above the EU average of 32 per cent.

The survey found that four out of five Maltese workers (81 per cent) are satisfied with working conditions, and only a limited amount (15 per cent) fear losing their job in the coming six months.

More than a third (35 per cent) have undergone paid-for training over the previous six months, and more than half (51 per cent) believe they can still do their job at the age of 60.

Work in Malta is characterised by a high degree of worker autonomy. The survey shows that 84 per cent of workers in Malta can choose or change their order of tasks, their methods of work, and their speed of work. This is in stark contrast to the 67 per cent Europeans who enjoy the equivalent work organisation possibilities.

The Maltese say they work more than their EU counterparts, probably because many have part-time jobs, Mr Karppinen said. However, many complain that their employers are rigid with working hours.

The survey raises serious concerns over work-related health effects among its workers.

Just over half (52 per cent) of the Maltese claim that work affects their health, which is considerably higher than the EU average of 35 per cent.

Almost one in three complains of backache, compared to one in four across the EU25. Also muscular pains (30 per cent), headaches (23 per cent) and backache (29 per cent) are well above the European averages (21 per cent, 14 per cent, and 23 per cent respectively). Almost one in three workers also reports high levels of stress at work, higher than the EU average of 21 per cent. Oddly, the rate of Maltese complaining from repetitive hand injuries is way below the EU average.

The interviews were carried out in late 2005 with nearly 30,000 workers in 31 countries - the EU25, the two acceding countries, Bulgaria and Romania, together with Croatia, Norway, Switzerland, and Turkey.