Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1219206
11 maltatoday | SUNDAY • 8 MARCH 2020 NEWS the CBM report noted. Migration has also been a fac- tor in rejuvenating the male workforce. Until 2012, the rel- ative share of over-50s in the male workforce in Malta was similar to that in the EU. But since then the share of young men in the Maltese male work- force has been increasing very rapidly. "This was due to the very strong inward migration flows and which resulted in the share of the foreign workforce more than doubling." But despite these trends, age- ing is still affecting some im- portant economic sectors. In fact, the share of older workers in public administra- tion, in wholesale and retail, and in administrative and sup- port services, has grown by four percentage points over the past decade. The largest increase in age was observed in the agricul- tural and fisheries workforce, while the complement of man- ufacturing, construction and financial services has also aged. By contrast, the workforce in relatively new services sectors, such as remote gaming, infor- mation and communication and professional services has got younger. The age profile of skilled non-manual workers has shift- ed somewhat to younger ages. The workforce aged over 50 is much more likely to occupy the two ends of the occupation- al spectrum, that is to be in a managerial position or have an elementary job. Although the actual number of plant and machine operators aged over 50 fell, their relative share within that occupational category rose. Younger workers, by contrast, are more concentrated in pro- fessional, clerical and sales cat- egories. The report also shows that older working women have tended to extend their careers more readily than men did. jdebono@mediatoday.com.mt fell to 1.4%. From a situation where we had nearly the same rate of severe material depriva- tion amongst workers as in the rest of Europe, we now have a rate that is less than half the European average. Only Lux- embourg and the Netherlands have a better rate than Malta." The spokesperson also said the same Eurostat data shows that the ratio of total income re- ceived by the 20% of the popu- lation with the highest income, to that received by the 20% of the population with the lowest income, stood at 4.26 in 2008 and 4.28 in 2018 – the so called Gini coefficient. "By contrast in the euro area it rose from 4.87 to 5.07. This means that ine- quality in Malta remains lower than in the rest of the euro ar- ea," the spokesperson said. "Government will be working to improve further the share of economic prosperity to work- ers. This should not be solely conceived as yet another push to raise wages. The next stage requires that we focus more on enhancing the quality of life of our workers. This includes more emphasis on flexible working conditions, more free time, a better environment and a broader mix of cultural and recreational opportunities." KARL AZZOPARDI A sunlit February has spelled bad news for farmers, whose crops depend heavily on rain- fall during what is normally considered the wet season for the country. A Meteorological Office report revealed that the second month of 2020 was the driest on re- cord since 1923. This year only 0.6mm of precipitation was recorded, with the monthly av- erage being 56.9mm. Farmers who spoke to Malta- Today said Maltese agriculture was highly dependent on rainfall in the season between October and April. The replenishment of their reservoirs and artisan wells is crucial to avoid pumping water from the water table at an early point in the year. Jeanette Borg, from the Malta Youth in Agriculture Foundation, said the sectors most affected by this year's drought will be the pro- duction of fruit and vegetables, and fodder crops which depend heavily on rain water. Fodder crops such as wheat, bar- ley and clover are used for animal feed, and make up around 45% of Malta's utilised agri- cultural land. Borg said that lack of precipitation will lead to a decrease in the quantity and quality for fodder crops, with the biggest headache for farmers being that of having to rely more on importing the animal feed. "This will obviously increase the costs of production for farmers," she said. The lack of precipitation is also leading to higher vegetable prices for consumers. Vege- tables are usually more abundant at this time of the year. However this depends on water availability. "We are noticing that broccoli and cauliflower prices, for example, have remained quite high in comparison to previous years," she said. Għaqda Bdiewa Attivi's Malcom Borg shared Jeanette Borg's concern, pointing out how the extraction of groundwater comes at a larger ex- pense for farmers. "The extraction of water will put more pressure on the water table, making it longer for the resource to replenish." Asked how farmers will cope if the situation remains as it is, Borg said that 'new water' is helping some farmers to a certain ex- tent. New water is polished, treated sewage water which has been made available to farmers solely for irrigation purposes. It is considered to be very high-qual- ity water for agriculture, industry, landscaping and other sectors where drinking water quality levels are not required. Malcolm Borg said the water was of very good quality, and insisted the quality of produce is not in any way affected, but lamented that the resource is not readily available to every- one. "We must ensure that all farmers are given all the help they need," he said. Jeanette Borg insisted that more research needs to be carried out on the ground to equip growers with practical solutions, since weath- er extremes are on the rise. "Last year we had the infamous February storm, and this year we have very little rain. We must be prepared or we risk losing the livelihood of rural areas," she said. She suggested that creating more synergy be- tween growers, authorities and researchers can help in achieving long-term planning in terms of water resource management. February drought piles more pressure on farmers Jeanette Borg: lack of precipitation will lead to a decrease in the quantity and quality for fodder crops, with the biggest headache for farmers being that of having to rely more on importing the animal feed