Filipinos living in Malta top the list of foreigners holding employment permits, International Organisation for Migration figures show.

They had a total of 946 permits as of January and were followed by Serbians (671), Chinese (434), Indians (247) and Russians (196).

Most employment licences are issued to occupations in low-skilled labour areas.

Most of the employment licences issued were for cleaners (474) and office helpers (399) followed by care workers (305), chefs (274) and labourers (231).

Most employment licences are issued in low-skilled labour areas

Surprisingly, the vast majority of employment licences – 1,016 – were “empty” in terms of the kind of employment permitted. In total, 4,015 permits for foreigners were active as of last January, including for long-term residents.

Asylum seekers, holders of temporary humanitarian protection, holders of subsidiary protection and refugees made up about 1,980 in total.

The figures were presented in a report by IOM in Malta at a conference launching an online portal and brochures dedicated to the integration of expats in Malta. They provide essential information ranging from entry and residence requirements to education and accommodation.

“It is clear that these nationals fill gaps in the labour market... skilled in the type of employment needed in Malta.

“Understanding gaps in the labour market may help us understand the future flows of third country nationals into Malta as work is indeed a major pull factor for migration,” the IOM report states.

The total number of foreigners living in Malta has almost doubled to 20,400 since 2005.