Recruitment measures in 2023 budget slammed as ‘only cosmetic’

The lack of recruitment measures in the 2023 budget were harshly criticized, and described as merely "cosmetic" by one industry expert who wishes to remain anonymous. The C-level HR professional also feels that more attention needs to be paid to the "human" within human resources.

Whilst praising the Government for financially helping individuals, the HR professional stated that considering the current economic post-Covid and post-grey listing scenario, they would have expected to find “something more solid” in this budget.

In their opinion, the budget also failed to address long-term planning and job security. This was said with reference to the number of foreigners working in Malta and “who sometimes, come here under the false pretense that there are a lot of good-quality working opportunities on the island, when in reality they come here, and they find that it is impossible to keep up with the cost of living and end up living with eight other people in an apartment.”

The HR professional affirmed that they would have liked to see this budget addressing this issue perhaps even by introducing a regulatory body to ensure equity in the place of work.

“Sometimes foreigners are not even given a contract,” they said. “This is also a form of human trafficking, even though we are not blatantly transporting organs from one place to another."

“This country needs to remember that we are dealing with human beings, irrespective of where they are coming from and what language they speak,” the HR professional said. “They must be treated with respect. ”

In their concluding comments they also expressed concern at the message that this kind of behaviour is sending to future generations. “If these measures are going to be normalised, and if we continue to show future generations that it is OK to not treat people with respect, our kids are going to have a harsh working environment to face when they grow up,” they concluded.