The rise of foreign workers in Malta : trade unions’ perspectives

Abstract

Over the last few years, the Maltese labour force has experienced a significant growth in the population of foreign workers. Using a qualitative approach, the main aim of this study is to get an in-depth understanding of the perceptions of trade unions in Malta on the rise of foreign workers in the Maltese labour force, whether it has resulted in any challenges for the trade unions and if so, what new strategies they have introduced. Through purposive sampling, three trade unions were chosen from the ‘Registrar of Trade Unions’. The sample consisted of six participants, three élite senior officials and three employees coming from the three trade unions chosen. Semi-structured interviews were conducted for data collection. The main findings concluded that the growing population of foreign workers has left both positive and negative impacts on different aspects of the Maltese labour market. The research also indicated that migrant workers experience several challenges and likewise; trade unions experience challenges to represent the interests of these migrant workers. The findings indicate that rather than strategies specifically targeted at migrant workers, trade unions focus more on initiatives to improve integration and promote equal treatment. This study also suggests the need for national integration and regulatory policies to deal with the challenges that migration poses on the Maltese labour force.