Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1540561
MALTA'S economy depends on sectors that ebb and flow with the seasons; most notably hospitality and all of its related sectors and services. Rising staff short- ages are not just inconveniences; they limit capacity, curtail service quality, and throttle business performance dur- ing peak periods. Recommendation 48 of the Government's National Employ- ment Policy, which calls for a formal distinction between temporary and cir- cular migration, supported by tailored permits, should be urgent policy prior- ity, not merely a proposal. Temporary migration refers to one-off entries and constrained stays. Circular migration envisages repeat, back-and- forth movement facilitated by simpli- fied admission and re entry processes. This distinction matters profoundly for seasonal industries in Malta. Only cir- cular migration frameworks can reliably anchor a returning pool of workers who bring efficiency, familiarity, and consist- ent availability year after year. Europe offers established models we can learn from. The EU Seasonal Workers Directive (2014/36/EU) allows Member States to admit third country seasonal workers under harmonised rules, emphasises decent working con- ditions, and crucially, it promotes cir- cular movement via measures like sped up re entry and multi season permits. In practice, this framework underpins many national seasonal schemes, guar- anteeing both worker protection and employer access. Ireland has recently pioneered its own Seasonal Employment Permit, effective February 2025. Open to non EEA na- tionals, the permit allows for seasonal work of up to seven months (April 14 to November 13), renewable twice, subject to minimum remuneration and employ- er approval. This structured, flexible system offers a powerful illustration of how Malta could craft a circular migra- tion scheme tailored to local realities. Designing a circular migration frame- work here would create several advan- tages: Reliable workforce continuity. Work- ers returning year after year become more efficient, reducing training costs and improving service quality, critical for hospitality and agriculture. Balanced regulation with flexibility. Like Ireland's pilot, Malta can begin with certain approved employers or de- fined economic sectors before expand- ing, ensuring responsible growth. Stronger labour protection. A clearly defined permit regime lets government monitor conditions, enforce worker rights, and deter exploitation address- ing genuine public concerns. Data and agility. Paired with the pro- posed tracer study to understand exist- ing migration patterns, Malta can de- sign permits informed by real-seasonal flows and optimize re entry rules. Other EU states reinforce the point. Several have adopted bilateral agree- ments, streamlined visa processes, or mandated post-season verification to ensure return; balancing labour needs with migration control. The Migration Policy Institute al- so highlights that successful season- al worker programmes often combine transparency, skills development, and local engagement to maximize develop- ment impact, lessons Malta should in- corporate. Malta's employment challenges are not unique, but our response can be distinctive. By legislating a clear, evi- dence-based circular migration process, we signal openness, competence, and care, not just pragmatism. Businesses gain access to a more stable seasonal workforce. Workers enjoy clearer rights and predictable pathways. Government gains insight, oversight, and agility. Critically, this approach aligns with Recommendation 48's call for a tracer study to gauge circularity. Data must drive design. Understanding how many seasonal workers return, where they come from, and industry demand pat- terns will inform permit duration, re- newal limits, and administrative path- ways. We can then design a permit that practically facilitates circular movement such as multi-year permissions, priori- ty processing for returning workers, or simplified documentation for repeat ap- plicants. Opponents might worry whether this will lead to overreliance on migrant labour? Not if programmes are prop- erly scoped, time-limited, and linked to labour market needs. Starting small, perhaps by piloting hospitality in its broadest sense including ride-hailing, is prudent. Infrastructure must follow de- mand, not precede it. Decision-makers in Malta stand at a choice point. We can continue relying on ad hoc labour solutions that strain businesses and frustrate workers. Or we can lead, designing a forward-looking circular migration system rooted in pol- icy clarity, humane treatment, and eco- nomic pragmatism. Recommendation 48 isn't abstract; it's a building block for economic resil- ience. It invites Malta to join the ranks of countries that manage migration in- telligently, with both human dignity and business viability. I urge policymakers to treat it not as a bureaucratic exercise but as an economic imperative, one that shows Malta values both enterprise and fairness. Let's move beyond temporary stop- gaps. By distinguishing between tempo- rary and circular migration, Malta can embrace a smart, sustainable seasonal workforce model, one that serves today's needs and builds tomorrow's strength. Using clear migration pathways to strengthen Malta's seasonal workforce Seb Ripard CEO Rides & Eats 10 maltatoday | WEDNESDAY • 22 OCTOBER 2025 OPINION Balanced regulation with flexibility. Like Ireland's pilot, Malta can begin with certain approved employers or defined economic sectors before expanding, ensuring responsible growth.