THE Department for Indus-
trial and Employment Re-
lations (DIER) has flagged
"widespread" employment
irregularities in sectors that
rely on foreign workers.
In its 2025 annual report,
the DIER singled out cou-
riers as workers facing a
"widespread" lack of com-
pliance with employment
laws. This was evident in a
number of cases concluded
in 2025 but which had first
arisen in 2024.
Among the abuses identi-
fied were employers' failure
to pay COLA allowances,
workers earning below the
minimum wage, non-pay-
ment of overtime and gov-
ernment bonuses, and unjus-
tified wage deductions.
Food couriers also saw dis-
crepancies between net pay
and proof of payment, failure
to provide a weekly rest day
or to apply the special rates
when working during rest
days, lack of sick leave pay-
ments, and shortcomings in
leave entitlements.
According to the report,
the food courier industry
wasn't the only industry de-
pendent on third-country
nationals (TCNs) that saw
irregularities.
WWW.MALTATODAY.COM.MT
€1.00
WEDNESDAY • 25 MARCH 2026 • ISSUE 983 • PUBLISHED EVERY WEDNESDAY AND SUNDAY
NICOLE MEILAK
nmeilak@mediatoday.com.mt
Widespread irregularities in
TCN sectors flagged by DIER
EDITORIAL • PAGE 11
Manoel Island
concession
step closer
to being
terminated
MANOEL Island is a step closer to
becoming public land again after
parliament approved a resolution to
partially terminate its concession to
MIDI.
During a plenary session on Tues-
day, parliament unanimously vot-
ed in favour of the motion that will
place Manoel Island and part of
Fort Tigne back into public hands.
Culture Minister Owen Bonnici
presented the resolution to parlia-
ment.
Earlier in the day, the national
audit committee also voted in fa-
vour of the motion. During that
meeting, Bonnici explained that
the government will be reimburs-
ing expenses carried out for resto-
ration but will not pay for the value
of the land.
CONTINUES PAGE 5
WEDNESDAY EDITION
CONTINUES PAGE 4
MATTHEW
FARRUGIA
mfarrugia@mediatoday.com.mt
The
Department for
Industrial and
Employment
Relations f lags
'widespread'
employment
irregularities
in sectors that
rely on foreign
workers
An impending election, war and Robert Abela's options
PAGES 2-3
