Malta 'moving to full employment' - FOI

The Federation of Industry (FOI) said it believes that Malta is moving towards a scenario of full employment, with looming skills shortages in various sectors.

It called for a bold vision to introduce "flexicurity" on the EU model which would keep labour flexible, upwardly mobile and skilled, yet provide sufficient security.

In a statement following a meeting with the Nationalist Party held last week, the FOI commended the government for developing the Malta College of Arts, Science and Technology, which had proved itself by setting up courses that were relevant not only to sectors of industry but even to individual companies.

With regard to cost containment, the FOI feels that the productivity gains achieved should not be given away in electoral promises that could hinder industry's ability to compete. It maintained that the automatic cost-of-living annual increase should be removed and there should be no need to revisit the public-holidays issue.

Furthermore, on a macro-economic level, social security assistance must be directed solely at those who really need it, the FOI said.