Perceptions of globalisation : attitudes and responses in the EU - Malta

Abstract

Although, in recent years, a number of organisations mostly from the manufacturing sector relocated abroad, the government tended not to intervene to influence the companies’ decisions. The government also has a rather liberal policy towards the selling of domestic companies to foreign ones. While the threat of relocation appears to be increasing its weight on collective bargaining, unions usually do not publicise it. The cases of ST Microelectronics and Bortex Limited were two notable exceptions which made it to the press. There have been no recent cases where trade unions have resisted foreign acquisition of domestic companies explicitly on the basis of the nationality of the company concerned. Eurobarometer surveys indicate that most Maltese are in favour of globalisation and view it as a positive trend.