Eurofound's COVID-19 EU PolicyWatch collates information on the responses of government and social partners to the crisis, as well as gathering examples of company practices aimed at mitigating the social and economic impacts.
Factsheet for case MT-2020-23/1436 – measures in Malta
Country | Malta , applies nationwide |
Time period | Open ended, started on 01 June 2020 |
Type | Company practices |
Category |
Protection of workers, adaptation of workplace
– Occupational health and safety |
Author | Luke Anthony Fiorini (University of Malta) and Eurofound |
Case created | 16 November 2020 (updated 27 January 2021) |
The taxi industry is one that has picked up in recent years. The Maltese traditionally do not make use of taxis for the daily commute, favouring private transport and public busses. The popularity of taxis increased over the last few years following an influx of foreign workers coupled with new taxi companies, including platform-based taxi companies.
The taxi industry's growth was hit by COVID-19 due to a sudden drop in commuters. Workers increasingly made use of remote working options, whereas others sought private transport options in order to reduce the chance of disease transmission.
Faced by these sudden changes, one of Malta's largest taxi companies, eCabs, modified their taxis and procedures in order to protect staff and customers.
In May 2020, the Public Health Authorities issued guidelines for the taxi industry. eCabs, a leading private taxi operator in Malta, announced that they had both implemented and exceeded these guidelines.
Amongst the changes implemented:
The taxi company also provides a service for school children. Schools recommenced following COVID-19-related closures and summer holidays in September 2020. This service also includes the following additional steps:
The measure is being applied to all of the organisation's fleet.
Workers | Businesses | Citizens |
---|---|---|
Particular professions
|
Sector specific set of companies
|
Applies to all citizens |
Actors | Funding |
---|---|
National government
Company / Companies |
Companies
|
Social partners' role in designing the measure and form of involvement:
Trade unions | Employers' organisations | |
---|---|---|
Role | No involvement | Unknown |
Form | Not applicable | Not applicable |
Social partners' role in the implementation, monitoring and assessment phase:
No involvement - this is a company initiative. Whilst a company initiative, it was also informed by public health guidelines.
None to report
This case is sector-specific (only private sector)
Economic area | Sector (NACE level 2) |
---|---|
H - Transportation And Storage | H49 Land transport and transport via pipelines |
This case is occupation-specific
Occupation (ISCO level 2) |
---|
Drivers and mobile plant operators |
Citation
Eurofound (2020), Taxi company adapts to COVID-19, case MT-2020-23/1436 (measures in Malta), COVID-19 EU PolicyWatch, Dublin, http://eurofound.link/covid19eupolicywatch
Disclaimer: This information has not been subject to the full Eurofound evaluation, editorial and publication process. All information is preliminary and subject to change.