Every economic downturn creates new services and opportunities and one that has emerged over the past few months is the resurgence of home workers. Online work has changed the face of traditional working methods since what today is seen as only basic connectivity will allow any individual or company to link up on the internet with people each with their specific area of expertise.

There is a stream of services that can be availed of, from online research to updating of websites, translations to accounting needs, PA and secretarial type services all done over the internet. MHCS - Joblink Home, through its website www.joblinkmalta.com, is continually updating its database to incorporate the widest variety of experts, and where specific expertise is not immediately available, organisers feel confident they can find a person within a short space of time.

The co-ordination of home workers is a task that Joblink@home has undertaken successfully, claiming the system is simple to implement and use. Co-ordinators act as intermediaries between the two parties, firstly helping the client choose the best-suited home worker for a specific job in hand and then intervening if disagreements arise. An administration fee is levied for this service while rates of pay for the work done is generally at a par with that of a temporary worker for the same type of work.

In reaching the labour element of the cost, other factors are considered, such as the rate of remuneration for the grade of person undertaking the task and the estimated time for completion of the work or project. This flexible approach to meeting the needs of potential users covers a broad spectrum of scenarios, including long-term contractual arrangements.