Background information

COVID-19 had a marked negative financial impact on several sectors in Malta. By means of a tripartite agreement, a package of measures to save jobs and organisations was agreed and announced by the Government on 24 March 2020. Amongst the measures in this package, wage subsidies were offered to sectors which were worst hit. During a 'mini budget' announced on the 8 June 2020, which aimed to regenerate Malta's economy, government announced another package of measures. Amongst the new measures announced, was a business re-engineering consultancy administered by the Malta Enterprise.

Content of measure

Whilst announced in June, details of this measure remain limited (September 2020).

In view of the COVID-19 pandemic, government acknowledged that organisations will have to modify the way that they operate. Via the Malta Enterprise, Government first offered a measure which subsidised the purchase of technological equipment for the purpose of fostering teleworking. This measure has now ended. This new measure acknowledged that some organisations, especially micro and small enterprises might require assistance in drafting new business plans and in exploring technological options. In view of this, Malta Enterprise is providing a maximum of €5,000 per business to be used to undertake reengineering exercises with approved companies. A total budget of €2.5 million has been allocated to this measure. It is envisaged that the measure will aid in fostering a digital economy.

Use of measure

No information is available.

Target groups

Workers	Businesses	Citizens
Does not apply to workers	Applies to all businesses	Does not apply to citizens

Actors and funding

Actors	Funding
National government Public support service providers	National funds

Social partners

Social partners' role in designing the measure and form of involvement:

	Trade unions	Employers' organisations
Role	Consulted	Consulted
Form	Direct consultation outside a formal body	Direct consultation outside a formal body

Social partners' role in the implementation, monitoring and assessment phase:

• Unknown
• Main level of involvement: Unknown

Involvement

By means of a tripartite agreement, a package of measures to save jobs and organisations was agreed on 24 March 2020. This was the third but most significant package of measures announced by the Government. Following this agreement, social partners remained in direct contact with the government highlighting their proposals of what was felt was still necessary to save the Maltese economy and jobs. In view of this, on the 8 June 2020, the government announced a 'mini budget' to help the Maltese economy to recover from the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. Essentially, this was the fourth package of measures announced by the government. The current measure formed part of this package.

Views and reactions

The fourth package of measures, of which the current measure formed part of, received public support from an array of social partners. Those positive and vocal about it were primarily business associations, including the Chamber of Commerce, the Chamber of SMEs, the Malta Employers' Association, the Malta Hotels and Restaurants Association (MHRA), the Malta Developers Association (MDA) and the Association of Catering Establishments.

Sources

• 23 September 2020: Malta Enterprise - Business Re-engineering Consultancy (covid19.maltaenterprise.com)