Eurofound's EU PolicyWatch collates information on the responses of government and social partners to the COVID-19 crisis, the war in Ukraine, rising inflation, as well as gathering examples of company practices aimed at mitigating the social and economic impacts.
Overview of measures by country
Eurofound has identified 68 measures in Malta in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic, the war in Ukraine, the digital transformation, the green transition, and companies undergoing restructuring. Most cases fall into the category Promoting the economic, labour market and social recovery into a green future with 22 cases (32%). The data collection to date started in March 2020, and data are updated at regular intervals.
This overview was prepared by Luke Anthony Fiorini (University of Malta) and Eurofound.
Company practices |
|
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16 November 2020 Updated |
Idle tourism workers to join COVID-19 track and trace team
Mobilisation of a larger workforce |
Other initiatives or policies |
23 June 2022 |
Monthly surveys of employers
Smoothing frictions or reallocation of workers |
Legislations or other statutory regulations |
|
---|---|
04 April 2020 Updated |
Deferral of payment of taxes
Deferral of payments or liabilities |
06 July 2020 Updated |
Malta Development Bank COVID-19 Guarantee Scheme
Access to finance |
06 July 2020 Updated |
Moratorium on loan repayments
Deferral of payments or liabilities |
07 July 2020 Updated |
Microinvest Cash Conversion
Access to finance |
22 December 2020 |
Interest rate subsidy on bank loans
Direct subsidies (full or partial) or damage compensation |
23 June 2022 |
Investment Aid for Energy Efficiency Projects
Direct subsidies (full or partial) or damage compensation |
Other initiatives or policies |
07 July 2020 Updated |
Electricity bill refund for companies availing of the wage-subsidy scheme
Direct subsidies (full or partial) or damage compensation |
13 July 2020 Updated |
Rent refund for companies
Direct subsidies (full or partial) or damage compensation |
02 April 2021 |
Support for bars forced to close during COVID-19
Direct subsidies (full or partial) or damage compensation |
02 April 2021 |
Restaurants & Snack Bars Support Scheme
Direct subsidies (full or partial) or damage compensation |
30 June 2021 Updated |
One-time grant for businesses forced to close in 2021
Direct subsidies (full or partial) or damage compensation |
29 April 2022 Updated |
Subsidy for importers of cereals and flour
Direct subsidies (full or partial) or damage compensation |
04 May 2023 |
Liquidity support guarantee scheme for organisations impacted by the war in the Ukraine
Access to finance |
04 May 2023 |
Liquidity support guarantee for importers of fuel and oil
Access to finance |
Legislations or other statutory regulations |
|
---|---|
23 June 2022 |
Different conditions of employment in exceptional circumstances
Working time flexibility |
23 June 2022 |
Wage guarantee fund
Income support for people in employment (e.g., short-time work) |
Bipartite collective agreements |
07 August 2020 |
Collective agreement: Air Malta cabin crew
Wage flexibility |
10 August 2020 |
Agreement between Air Malta and Engineers Union
Wage flexibility |
Tripartite agreements |
03 April 2020 Updated |
COVID-19 wage supplement
Income support for people in employment (e.g., short-time work) |
Legislations or other statutory regulations |
|
---|---|
21 September 2020 |
Cash grant for companies to produce products related to COVID
Change of production/Innovation |
21 September 2020 |
Export credit guarantees to support entrance to new markets
Change of production/Innovation |
23 June 2022 |
Rapid Reaction Service
Transfer or redeployment of workers |
Company practices |
16 November 2020 |
English language schools try to adapt during COVID-19
Change of production/Innovation |
16 November 2020 |
Bortex Tailoring shift production to make facemasks and scrubs
Change of production/Innovation |
Other initiatives or policies |
21 September 2020 Updated |
Modernisation of construction equipment
Change of production/Innovation |
23 September 2020 Updated |
Malta Enterprise administers business re-engineering consultancy
Change of production/Innovation |
05 July 2021 Updated |
Smart and Sustainable Investment Scheme 2021
Change of production/Innovation |
05 July 2021 Updated |
Restart Incentive Scheme 2021
Change of production/Innovation |
23 October 2023 |
ESG grant to facilitate good governance practices
Change of production/Innovation |
Legislations or other statutory regulations |
|
---|---|
04 April 2020 Updated |
Facilitating teleworking
Teleworking arrangements, remote working |
22 December 2020 Updated |
Gozo Telework Scheme
Teleworking arrangements, remote working |
Company practices |
16 November 2020 |
Taxi company adapts to COVID-19
Occupational health and safety |
Non-binding recommendations or other texts |
11 August 2020 |
Information for members of employer associations
Well-being of workers |
Other initiatives or policies |
05 October 2021 |
Mentrepreneurial (Ment+): supporting entrepreneurial mental health
Well-being of workers |
Legislations or other statutory regulations |
|
---|---|
04 April 2020 Updated |
Additional unemployed benefit
Income support for unemployed |
04 April 2020 Updated |
New parental benefit to care for children during school closures
Support for parents and carers (financial or in kind) |
04 April 2020 Updated |
Person with disability benefit who cannot work for medical reasons can apply for benefit
Extensions of income support to workers not covered by any kind of protection scheme |
04 April 2020 Updated |
Medical benefit for COVID-19 risk group who cannot carry out their work
Paid sick leave |
04 April 2020 Updated |
Quarantine leave - Grants for employers
Paid sick leave |
06 July 2020 Updated |
In-work benefit for working parents
Support for parents and carers (financial or in kind) |
Other initiatives or policies |
02 April 2021 |
Parent Benefit 2021
Support for parents and carers (financial or in kind) |
Legislations or other statutory regulations |
|
---|---|
22 December 2020 Updated |
Rental assistance for employees impacted by COVID-19
Keeping or obtaining a safe home |
Other initiatives or policies |
11 August 2022 |
Provision of cancer treatment for Ukrainian refugees
Access to healthcare |
12 August 2022 Updated |
Ukraine Community Crisis Centre Malta
Other humanitarian measures |
Legislations or other statutory regulations |
|
---|---|
24 October 2023 Updated |
Purchase of Electric Vehicles Scheme
Sustainable mobility |
04 May 2023 Updated |
In-Work benefit for employees with atypical working hours
Increasing income in general |
23 September 2020 Updated |
Measures to support the construction and property industries
Support for spending, stimulus packages |
22 December 2020 |
Free courses for tourism workers
Active labour market policies (enhancing employability, training, subsidised job creation, etc.) |
07 February 2023 Updated |
Additional Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA) payment
Increasing income in general |
20 December 2021 Updated |
Exemption from Tax on Property Transfers
Support for spending, stimulus packages |
23 June 2022 |
Micro Invest Scheme
Active labour market policies (enhancing employability, training, subsidised job creation, etc.) |
Company practices |
08 February 2024 Updated |
Prices of selected food items to be reduced by 15%
Support for other basic items (e.g., food, housing, public transport, medicines) |
Non-binding recommendations or other texts |
11 August 2020 |
Malta Chamber Think Tank
Active labour market policies (enhancing employability, training, subsidised job creation, etc.) |
Other initiatives or policies |
24 October 2023 Updated |
Free public transport in Malta
Sustainable mobility |
07 February 2023 Updated |
Schemes to enhance digitalisation amongst enterprises
Support for spending, stimulus packages |
16 August 2022 Updated |
Energy audits in small and medium sized enterprises
Support for spending, stimulus packages |
16 August 2022 Updated |
Investment aid for energy efficiency projects in businesses
Support for spending, stimulus packages |
07 July 2020 |
Skills Development Scheme
Active labour market policies (enhancing employability, training, subsidised job creation, etc.) |
08 February 2024 |
Intercept Project - Fostering employment in green industries
Active labour market policies (enhancing employability, training, subsidised job creation, etc.) |
06 October 2021 Updated |
Restart Schemes 2021 - Arts Council Malta
Measures to support a gradual relaunch of work |
23 September 2020 Updated |
Measures to support import and export
Support for spending, stimulus packages |
03 September 2020 |
Research conducted by employer associations
Measures to support a gradual relaunch of work |
24 August 2020 Updated |
Employment grant to promote access to employment
Active labour market policies (enhancing employability, training, subsidised job creation, etc.) |
07 July 2020 Updated |
Vouchers for use in businesses affected by COVID-19
Support for spending, stimulus packages |
29 April 2022 Updated |
Distribution of one-time bonus and tax refund cheques
Increasing income in general |
25 February 2022 Updated |
Malta freezes energy prices
Support for energy bills |
30 January 2023
Governments across the EU continue to implement policies to support citizens and businesses in the face of rising food and energy prices caused by the COVID-19 crisis and intensified by the war in Ukraine. This article summarises the policy responses as reported in Eurofound's EU PolicyWatch database from January to September 2022.
Article12 September 2022
Although the worldwide pandemic situation had already disrupted supply chains and triggered increases in energy and food prices in 2021, the situation deteriorated in 2022 with the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
Article12 September 2022
This article summarises the first policy responses that governments across the EU have started to implement to support companies affected by the rising prices, and those with commercial ties to Ukraine, Russia or Belarus.
Article5 July 2022
This article summarises the first policy responses of EU Member States, including those of the social partners and other civil society actors, enabling refugees to exercise their rights under the Temporary Protection Directive.
ArticleDisclaimer: This information has not been subject to the full Eurofound evaluation, editorial and publication process.