Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1537233
6 maltatoday | SUNDAY • 6 JULY 2025 OPINION Fabio Muscat It's time to weed out the rogue recruiters giving Malta a bad name Keith Azzopardi Tanti Parliamentary secretary for youth research and innovation Turning the tide: Anchoring Malta's future in marine research President of the Association for Temping Agencies (AFTA) THE recent MaltaToday article, Lives Shattered On The Altar Of Greed: A Glimpse Into Malta's Slave Labour, high- lighting the exploitation of third-country nationals (TCNs) is a sobering reminder of the vulnerabilities many foreign work- ers face in Malta. Such abuse is abhorrent and does not represent the values of the majority of employers or licensed recruitment agen- cies operating within the law. Rather, it stems from a rogue minority of unli- censed agents and cowboy operators who exploit legal loopholes and thrive in the shadows of a system still catching up. These individuals and companies have built a business model on deception, ex- tortion, and false promises. Several of them are already facing legal proceedings or have been convicted in court. Yet too often, their actions taint an en- tire industry of legitimate recruiters and employers who abide by the rules, follow the licensing framework, and go through intense bureaucratic procedures to legal- ly recruit essential workers for Malta's economy. From hospitality and construction to logistics and healthcare, hundreds of Maltese employers are actively and law- fully seeking to recruit non-EU nationals. These workers are not only wanted—they are needed. And they deserve the protec- tion and dignity afforded by a properly regulated system. In recent months, the government has taken important steps by introducing a mandatory licensing framework for re- cruitment agencies. AFTA welcomed and actively supported these reforms. But enforcement is key. A licence is only as effective as the system that monitors and backs it. The practice of luring migrants to Malta with false job offers, only to extort thou- sands of euros from them or leave them stranded upon arrival, is unethical and criminal. Every case must be investigat- ed, and those responsible must face heavy penalties, including substantial fines and criminal prosecution. At the same time, workers must be encouraged and empowered to report abuse. No victim should suffer in silence. This is where civil society, NGOs, and industry associations, including AFTA, must come together to ensure that sup- port structures exist and are accessible. AFTA also supports additional reforms. Individuals who are in Malta to work should not be prohibited from doing so while they await the outcome of an ap- peal. This current system is unfair on vic- tims of abuse and counterproductive for Malta. It makes no sense to import new workers when thousands already on the island are stuck in legal limbo, unable to work, contribute, or support themselves. Prevention is equally important. We urge prospective workers to verify the credentials of agents and employers be- fore accepting a job, and to make sure they are not paying over and above fees for permits or visas. The new licensing re- gime makes it clear—no agency is allowed to charge illegal fees or misrepresent job conditions. Awareness is the first line of defence. At AFTA, we remain fully committed to supporting individuals who have been misled or exploited. We provide guidance and help connect workers to licensed, ethical employment opportunities. Our members abide by Malta's regulatory frameworks and play a vital role in sup- porting the nation's labour market re- sponsibly. Ultimately, the solution lies in collab- oration. Together with government, en- forcement agencies, NGOs, unions, me- dia and civil society, we must dismantle the networks of abuse, hold bad actors accountable, and restore confidence in a system that should protect everyone, em- ployers and workers alike. Only by rooting out the cowboys can we ensure Malta is a destination of fairness, dignity, and lawful opportunity. MALTA'S identity is inseparable from the sea. From the traditional fishing communi- ty of Marsaxlokk to the modern aquacul- ture and marine research hubs, the blue economy is part of our national lifeblood. It employs over 18,900 people and con- tributes more than €590 million annually; numbers that are only set to grow under this government's forward-looking poli- cies. Leadership in blue and green transitions This administration recognises that Mal- ta must not only keep pace with Europe's green and blue transitions, but must also lead them. That is why we are investing heavily in research and innovation through the government agency, Xjenza Malta, our national research and space policy devel- opment and programming arm. We want to ensure that Malta is, and remains, both competitive and sustainable. Under the direction of this government, which has declared a national commit- ment to marine innovation, Xjenza Malta is delivering targeted support to Maltese researchers, enterprises and public entities to seize both national and EU-level oppor- tunities in the blue economy. One such effort, the BlueMissionMed Support Programme was launched ear- lier this year. It directly empowers local innovators through expert-led webinars and masterclasses, one-to-one mentoring for project development, national hack- athons and innovation challenges, as well as a high-level MedBootCamp that links innovators to investors and pan-European networks. This initiative forms part of our contribution to the EU mission, Restore Our Ocean and Waters, placing Maltese expertise at the centre of Mediterranean innovation. We participate actively, but are also helping shape the European agenda. Strategic investment in European part- nerships My government, through Xjenza Malta, contributes €500,000 annually to the Sus- tainable Blue Economy Partnership (SB- EP) under Horizon Europe. This ensures our researchers are part of high-impact transnational consortia in fields like coast- al resilience, digital ocean technology and blue bioresources. Malta also enjoys full membership in JPI Oceans, which puts us at the table where marine research priori- ties are set. Current areas of strategic focus include blue carbon for climate action, new freshwater sources, and assessing ecolog- ical impacts of marine artificial lighting. These efforts are not abstract, but translate into real, actionable projects that grow our economy, build resilience and protect our maritime heritage. Malta is also expanding its reach through global partnerships with national impact. Our government supports the Sino-Malta Fund, which has channelled over €1.3 mil- lion into joint research with China on ma- rine biodiversity, pollution mitigation and oceanographic modelling. Seizing Horizon Europe opportunities The EU's recent calls under Horizon Eu- rope Cluster 6 and the EU Mission: Restore Our Ocean and Waters also offer a strate- gic opportunity for Malta, with over €300 million for Cluster 6 topics and over €120 million specifically for Mission-related actions. These calls will support projects that restore marine ecosystems and reduce plastic pollution, establish protected 'blue parks' in key sea areas, promote green and digital technologies in fisheries and aqua- culture, support innovation in coastal cit- ies, ports and islands, and develop marine renewable energy and blue biotech solu- tions. These achievements are not accidental, but are the result of this government's clear and sustained commitment to research, in- novation and sustainability. Through Xjen- za Malta and a national strategy grounded in European alignment and global coop- eration, we are actively delivering on our vision for a more resilient, innovative and prosperous Malta. The opportunities men- tioned above are not distant, but are open to Maltese researchers, companies and or- ganisations. Xjenza Malta is always there to provide step-by-step support at all stag- es thus ensuring our stakeholders have the tools and networks to succeed. Join the journey towards Malta's blue fu- ture I hereby take the opportunity to encour- age researchers, entrepreneurs, policymak- ers and even students to seize the moment to help shape Malta's blue future by con- tacting Xjenza Malta to understand the available opportunities for funding. Let's lead the change together. This administration recognises that Malta must not only keep pace with Europe's green and blue transitions, but must also lead them.