💸 LOW PAY PERSISTS DESPITE CONSTRUCTION BOOM
✅ The workforce of the Maltese construction workers has doubled within the last decade, to keep up with new construction projects, but they are still the least benefitted from the construction boom.
→ There are over 20.000 ...construction workers in Malta, which is 8.700 more than in 2013. This is while the Maltese nationals now hold a smaller number in this industry, with over 1.000 fewer Maltese employees compared to 2023.
→ Currently, over 8,400 construction workers, which is more than 40%, are third-country nationals, a group particularly vulnerable to exploitation in the workplace.
✅ A KPMG study reveals that the construction sector's average salary in 2023 is €18.500, showing minimal growth since 2017. This sector has one of the lowest average wage increases since 2013.
→ Arts & Entertainment has seen the highest growth by sector since 2023, with an average wage growth of 6.4%, followed by Real estate with 5.2%, and ICT, Financial, and Public, Education & Health with 4.3%, 4.2% and 4.1% respectively.
→ Agriculture, Forestry and Fishing, as well as construction, had the lowest average wage growth, at 1.9% and 1.8% respectively.
✅ There are only two industries that earn less than construction workers.
→ Agriculture, including farmers and fishermen, averages €16.000 annually, slightly below construction but significantly lower than other sectors that can earn double.
→ Finance is by far the highest earning industry in Malta with an average salary of €47.000, followed by ICT with €41.000, Arts & Entertainment at €37.000, and Public, Education & Health with €32.000.
→ Despite being the most physically demanding sector, construction offers the lowest pay, with four construction workers earning the same as one worker in finance, arts, or real estate.
✅ A new policy document launched on January 8 aims to protect construction workers from exploitation and ensure fair compensation; however, doubts remain about its effectiveness, as the construction industry has contributed the least to Malta's economy.
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https://timesofmalta.com/article/low-pay-high-rise-construction-workers-among-lowest-paid.1103479