Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1546635
BUSINESSES are becoming increas- ingly frustrated over what they de- scribe as a backlog in work permit applications for third-country nationals. The head of a large re- tail business described months-long waiting times for work permit applica- tions to be pro- c e s s e d at a time when sev- eral sectors are facing labour short- ages. The employer, who spoke to MaltaToday on condition of anonymity, said the current labour market is riddled with poaching and movement between work- places. "Employees are spoilt for choice and won't think twice before improving their financial situation," they said. The labour turnover rate was so high that businesses are con- sistently trying to catch up with a constant shortage of work- ers. But the situation is made worse by the months-long delays in processing of work permit appli- cations. This, the retail employer said, some- times forced b u s i n e s s e s to apply for more for- eign employ- ees than they actually need to anticipate future vacancies that emerge while applications are be- ing processed. The frustration was shared by other em- ployers who spoke to MaltaToday with many singling out Jobsplus, the govern- ment employment agency, as the bottle- neck causing the delays. The agency de- nies the existence of a bottleneck. A spokesperson for the Malta Chamber of Commerce confirmed that many of its members have been reporting long delays in application processing time. The spokesperson noted that complaints and frustration about the delays seem to have increased around six months ago, adding that the chamber has been apply- ing pressure on behalf of its members to expedite the process. "It has become a daily struggle for us," the spokesperson noted, explaining the delays are affecting applications for skilled and unskilled workers across various sec- tors including, distribution, retail, and manufacturing. MaltaToday is aware of work permit applications filed back in January that are still pending, nine months down the line. YOUR RIGHT TO KNOW WWW.MALTATODAY.COM.MT SUNDAY 20 SEPTEMBER 2026 • ISSUE 1403 • PUBLISHED EVERY WEDNESDAY AND SUNDAY maltatoday €2.20 The good, the bad, the ugly Double-faced What were the Daphne Public Inquiry recommendations and what has become of them? Marsa Mayor Luke Farrugia on why he uses social media to highlight wrongdoing in his locality Government tells businesses finances are tight, while telling people it's 'business as usual' INTERVIEW MT2 PAGE 5 Personal Loans HOME MAKEOVER? Compe ve Interest Rates All loans are subject to normal bank lending criteria and final approval from the Bank. The term of the loan must not go beyond re rement age. Cau on! Borrowing money costs money. Issued by Bank of Valle a p.l.c. 58, Triq San Żakkarija, Il-Belt Valle a VLT 1130. Bank of Valle a p.l.c. is regulated by the MFSA and licensed to carry out the business of banking in terms of the Banking Act (Cap. 371 of the Laws of Malta). Public inquiry CONTINUES PAGE 2 PAGES 15-17 Work permit backlog 'a daily struggle' MATTHEW FARRUGIA mfarrugia@mediatoday.com.mt Court orders charities to pay back €285,000 donations A Gozo missionary movement and the heirs of a late missionary have been or- dered by the court to pay back €285,000 in donations made by an elderly woman. The donations were made before the woman was declared incapable of man- aging her own affairs. The Civil Court, presided over by Judge Henri Mizzi, ordered Ġesù fil-Proxxmu to pay out €171,000 and the heirs of mis- sionary Emanuel Barbara to repay a fur- ther €114,000. The court found the donations had not been drawn up by public deed before a notary, as the law requires. The case was brought by a woman ap- pointed curator of her aunt in December 2017. ĦALEY XUEREB hxuereb@mediatoday.com.mt CONTINUES PAGE 4