Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1524716
11 EDITORIAL maltatoday | WEDNESDAY • 31 JULY 2024 THE government has finally made a move to curb the number of non-EU nationals intending to come and work in Malta as food couriers and cab drivers. The decision was made after an evaluation car- ried out by Jobsplus showed that the labour mar- ket for cab drivers and food couriers has reached saturation point. As a result, the agency recom- mended refusals for new applications, including from individuals still abroad and others seeking a change of employer. The new measure does not affect workers cur- rently employed in these two sectors and applica- tions for renewals of existing employees will con- tinue to be processed without interruption. In a statement released last week, the Home Affairs Ministry said the new rules were needed to support the "stability and continuity of em- ployment" for those already plying their trade as food couriers and cab drivers. The rules however preclude existing non-EU nationals in these two sectors from changing employer within the same sector because it would be deemed as a new work permit. The ministry also assured us that the Single Per- mit system, which combines residence and work authorisation, "undergoes a rigorous assessment process" by Jobsplus. In the circumstances, we are tempted to ask whether Jobsplus undertook its labour market surveillance now in the aftermath of the 8 June elections because of the pressure applied by vot- ers. Jobsplus has always had the remit to keep its fin- gers on the pulse of the job market and determine whether applications for work permits for non- EU nationals should be accepted or not. The rules have always made it clear that non-EU nationals may obtain a work permit only if their skills are unique and required or if vacancies persist be- cause labour cannot be sourced from the domestic market. Labour market surveillance should be an ongoing thing so that prospective saturation points in the market can be flagged in advance to make it easier for market operators to plan for any changes. At the same time, the government must ensure that foreign workers are as protected from abuse by their employers as their Maltese counterparts. Minister Byron Camilleri said in parliament that employers under investigation for exploiting their employees will not be permitted to recruit addi- tional foreign workers until such investigations are resolved. This is a good thing but unless en- forcement on the ground is adequate his words will simply fall on deaf ears. A recent human trafficking case brought to court by the police, saw a Maltese restaurant owner sent to jail after he admitted charges of employing for- eign nationals even though his operations were either shut or not yet functional. This vigilance should be ongoing and done in a structured way. It is useless having a flurry of activity now simply because the authorities need to satisfy public frus- tration on over population. The labour market cannot simply be left to its own devices, especially in a small country where population density is increasingly becoming a frustration for many. The authorities have to be sure that who comes to work here is doing so in jobs and sectors where labour is required to maintain economic growth and living standards. But the authorities must also ensure that all workers without distinction are af- forded their rights as etched in the law. Furthermore, the tax authorities should ensure that every cab company is paying the taxes due by closing any loopholes that exist. Enforcing fiscal obligations creates a level playing field that will undoubtedly filter out the cab companies that are not serious and fail to adhere to the country's tax and employment legislation. At the same time, care must be taken not to tighten a market too much that would fuel higher consumer prices artificially. This is why vigilance and market analysis is required on a regular basis. In this way, the government would truly live up to its own mantra of maintaining a "fair and bal- anced labour market that protects the rights of all workers while addressing the needs of employers and the Maltese economy". Cab industry: For a fair and balanced labour market, curb tax evasion as well maltatoday MaltaToday, MediaToday Co. Ltd, Vjal ir-Rihan, San Gwann SGN 9016 MANAGING EDITOR: SAVIOUR BALZAN EXECUTIVE EDITOR: KURT SANSONE EDITOR: PAUL COCKS Tel: (356) 21 382741-3, 21 382745-6 Website: www.maltatoday.com.mt E-mail: dailynews@mediatoday.com.mt will inevitably put pressure on vulnerable people to end their lives for fear of being a finan- cial, emotional or care burden to others. Any change in our law would have profound ef- fects on the social fabric of our society, on our attitudes to- wards each other's deaths and illnesses, and on our attitudes towards those who are ill and have disabilities. As a lawyer who has wit- nessed situations where ter- minally ill individuals were involved, I envisage that there will be those who would face the added risk of coercion by others who might stand to gain from their deaths. The more I think and pon- der euthanasia, the more I find myself not being able to decide one way or the other. If autonomy is the issue, why do we not respect every disabled or suicidal person's wish for death? Regardless of their health condition or life expectancy, there are always people who wish to die for reasons that seem compelling to them.