[WATCH] Minimum wage set to increase gradually over the next four years

Prime Minister Robert Abela has announced the country’s minimum wage will be gradually increased over the coming four years.

"We established the Low Wage Commission to bring together social partners along with government representatives to propose how the wage increase should be given, and as a government, we will take these recommendations and implement them," he announced on Wednesday evening.

Details on how much the minimum wage will be increasing were not given, with the exact figures announced during next Monday’s Budget.

The Low Wage Commission, through the Malta Council for Economic and Social Development, has engaged E-cubed Consultants to gather data and present recommendations on the revision of the minimum wage in Malta.

The commission was established following a 2017 agreement between the government and social partners to increase the minimum wage. It is chaired by David Xuereb, chairperson of the MCESD.

Prime Minister Abela emphasized that the country needs to continue moving forward economically, and will continue to support the industry and businesses, while also investing in the workforce.

Abela pointed out that another electoral promise has been fulfilled to increase wages and the income of workers.