local news

Govt ignored recommendation not to ask for concession
By Kurt Sansone

The seven-year concession negotiated by the government on the free movement of workers with the EU contrasts heavily with a recommendation that was made in a report commissioned by the Ministry for Economic Services.

The impact assessment study had recommended the government not to seek a transition period on freedom of movement and services during EU negotiations.

The study conducted by EuroAccess Consultants concluded that the ‘effects of EU membership on the various service sectors, notably the small retailer, will be scarcely noticeable’.

Senior government sources admitted that the danger of being flooded with foreign workers once Malta joins the EU is a very unlikely scenrio. Nonetheless, they insisted that the government chose to ignore the recommendation to silence eurosceptics.

The general perception amongst voters is that foreigners would take over Maltese jobs. This perception is fuelled by the scare-mongering conducted by the Campaign for National Independence and the Labour Party.

In reality, the movement of citizens between EU countries has been very negligible. Fewer than two per cent of the EU workforce moved to work in another country.

Contrary to popular belief, the report by EuroAccess stated that there is a potential for a ‘net outbound migration, particularly of the young, well-educated and mobile’. Initially after accession, migration may even total 0.4% of the Maltese population per year. However, the report forecasts that after a few years a balance will be reached between

The agreement reached last Wednesday, stated that for seven years after membership, Malta will have the right to restrict the entry of EU workers, in exceptional cases.

The agreement was trumpeted as a positive development by the pro-EU camp. However EU nationals, who already reside and work in Malta, told MaltaToday that they were disappointed with the arrangement.

They insisted that the Government has won a PR battle but lost out to reason. As things stand, these Maltese ‘foreigners’ may have to wait for seven years before regularising their position.

Nonetheless, the concession allows Malta to focus on more demanding negotiating strategies in the agricultural and environmental chapters, which are considered to be the toughest of all.