Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item: https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/46369
Title: Chapter 10 : Work
Other Titles: Sociology of the Maltese Islands
Authors: Debono, Manwel
Rizzo, Saviour
Keywords: Work
Industrialization -- Malta
Malta -- Economic conditions
Work environment -- Malta
Issue Date: 2016
Publisher: Miller Publishing
Citation: Debono, M., & Rizzo, S. (2016). Chapter 10: Work. In M. Briguglio, & M. Brown (Eds.), Sociology of the Maltese Islands (pp. 217-239). Ħal Luqa: Miller Publishing.
Abstract: The Maltese industrialisation process is not marked by the same patterns followed in other countries. Up to the middle of the 20th century, the Maltese economy was heavily dependent on British defence spending aimed at maintaining a fortress in the Mediterranean. In 1958, out of the total workforce of 92,330, 24%, down from 26% in 1953, was employed with the British Defence Services (Department of Information, 1981). This does not include those workers who were earning their living from jobs directly or indirectly linked with the presence of British personnel on the island. This so called 'fortress economy' based on the exigencies and whims of the British government spending could not offer stability of work. The evaluation of Malta's strategic value could fluctuate according to the developments in the international scenario and the reaction of the British government to this changing scenario. The Maltese economy being dependent on the largesse of the British government that varied according to its exigencies was very volatile. Indeed, the British Government in the fifties, following the nationalisation of the Suez Canal by the Egyptian government made a radical review of its military and naval commitments and unilaterally decided to drastically reduce its defence spending in Malta. This Suez crisis was the source of serious rifts between the Maltese Government and the Maltese Imperial Government (Pirotta, 2001, p. 83).
URI: https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/46369
ISBN: 9789995752590
Appears in Collections:Scholarly Works - CenLS
Sociology of the Maltese Islands

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