Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1476751
6 maltatoday | SUNDAY • 21 AUGUST 2022 NEWS The Commission on Gender-Based Violence and Domestic Violence, within the Ministry for Home Affairs, Security, Reforms and Equality is seeking to recruit the following personnel: CLERK Jobsplus Permit No. 350/2021 For further details and application guidelines contact: Commission on Gender-Based Violence and Domestic Violence, Zentrum Business Centre, Triq l-Imdina, Qormi Phone 2276 8301 E-mail: contactus@stopviolence.gov.mt The Commission on Gender-Based Violence and Domestic Violence, within the Ministry for Home Affairs, Security, Reforms and Equality is seeking to recruit the following personnel: CLERK Jobsplus Permit No. 350/2021 For further details and application guidelines contact: Commission on Gender-Based Violence and Domestic Violence, Zentrum Business Centre, Triq l-Imdina, Qormi Phone 2276 8301 Foreign workers 'critical' for Maltese national health system MATTHEW VELLA THE national healthcare system wants to attract more foreign workers in areas where short- ages are being experienced, and retain foreign workers who are currently working within the NHS by examining the barriers to their integration in the min- istry of health. A study launched by the health ministry will seek ways of retaining both clinical and non-clinical workers from for- eign countries, as well as inte- grating them further into the system where they have been crucial in plugging shortages. Malta employs over 10,500 workers in its healthcare sys- tem, but just 530 – approxi- mately 5% – are foreign work- ers. The dependency on foreign workers has been steadily in- creasing in recent years with numbers expected to continue rising in the coming years, and this has been further accelerat- ed by the COVID-19 pandemic. "The national workforce in some professions is not enough to cope with the current de- mand of the healthcare system," the health ministry said. "It is of utmost importance that all for- eign workers currently working in the health ministry are re- tained so that they stay here in the long term." "The employees of the minis- try need to be ready not just to welcome, but to help integrate foreign workers," the health ministry said. "Quality of service is depend- ent on all employees working together and therefore how the local Maltese employees wel- come and work with foreign workers is critical." The health ministry wants to understand how employees are performing in clinical and non-clinical areas, where for- eign workers are also being em- ployed in administration, HR, finance, procurement and ICT. "Whilst current employees are valued and MFH intends to retain them, the study will also need to consider future trends and employment of foreign workers in non-clinical areas... retention and attraction of for- eign workers does not solely de- pend on the technical skills and academic qualifications nec- essary to apply for these posts. Therefore, the study needs to appreciate the holistic aspect of any human being – physical, mental, emotional, social and spiritual – looking for a job in another country due to assimi- lation issues." The ministry also said it was aware of the overly bureaucratic procedures that foreign workers face to get a working permit and for the reunification of their im- mediate family members. Malta's Chamber of Com- merce has acknowledged that the country's business commu- nity is suffering staff shortages and difficulties in bringing in and retaining foreign workers, resulting in increased compe- tition for employees in a very tight labour market. The Chamber had called for a pathway to citizenship for for- eign workers as a way of keep- ing them in Malta, and allow for family reunification. Health ministry says 5% of NHS workforce is made up of foreign workers in areas where shortages are being experienced and wants to find ways of integrating workers better