Stakeholders ON MORE awareness IN managing migrant worKFORCE

 Stakeholders have called for greater awareness on how to manage a “diverse workforce effectively” during a dialogue on the growing presence of migrant workers in Gozo’s labour market and the broader social and economic implications.

The event, titled “The Situation of Migrants in Our Economy,” was organised by the Gozo Business Chamber at Dar Manresa in Victoria, in collaboration with Caritas of the Diocese of Gozo, the Jesuit Refugee Service (Malta), EUROPE DIRECT Gozo, and the Bank of Valletta. 

The dialogue aimed to provide a platform for stakeholders to discuss ways to foster an ethical and sustainable relationship between employers and employees, with a particular focus on migrants.

 Senior Manager for Research and Policy Development at the Gozo Regional Development Authority (GRDA), Juergen Attard, opened the session with a presentation on the current trends regarding non-Maltese workers in Gozo. Attard highlighted that these workers are playing a critical role in supporting the island's economic growth, emphasising their importance to Gozo’s economic sustainability.

Following the presentation, a series of speakers from various sectors shared their insights. Fr. Jimmy Xerri, Director of Caritas Gozo, Dr. Stanley Joe Portelli, Director of the Legal Clinic at the Diaconia of Gozo, and Dr. Katrine Camilleri, Director of the Jesuit Refugee Service Malta, discussed the challenges faced by migrant workers in the local labour market. They particularly focused on the legal and social issues that arise, stressing the need to ensure that the rights of these workers are upheld.

The conversation also included two Gozitan employers, Thomas Xerri and Joseph Borg, who shared their experiences in managing businesses that employ foreign workers. Both stressed the importance of cultural sensitivity and the need for a respectful and dignified approach when managing a diverse workforce. They called for increased awareness and training on how to effectively manage workers from different cultural backgrounds.

The dialogue concluded with remarks from President of the Gozo Business Chamber, Michael Galea, who reaffirmed the Chamber’s commitment to fostering ethical practices and serious dialogue in the workplace. He underscored the importance of integration and mutual respect as fundamental to Gozo’s sustainable economic future.

The event highlighted a growing need for businesses in Gozo to understand the complexities of managing a diverse workforce, with the stakeholders agreeing that fostering an inclusive and respectful work environment will be key to ensuring the island’s continued economic development.