Abela Proposes New Right For Workers To Request Remote, Flexi Or Compressed Work

Thousands of supporters gathered in a sea of red as the Labour Party marked Workers’ Day with a mass rally, the second major event since Prime Minister Robert Abela announced that the general election will be held on 30 May.

Addressing the crowd, Abela said discussions will begin with social partners on introducing a new right for workers to formally request flexible working arrangements.

These include remote working, flexi-time and a compressed working week, all aimed at adapting employment to modern lifestyles.

Remote working allows employees to carry out their duties from home or another location outside the traditional office, reducing commuting time and increasing autonomy.

Flexi-time gives workers the option to choose their start and finish times within agreed limits, provided they complete the required number of hours.

A compressed working week enables employees to work their full weekly hours over fewer days, such as longer hours across four days instead of five.

Employers will be encouraged to consider such requests, with financial support offered for each employee who transitions to remote work. The initiative seeks to balance productivity with well-being while supporting businesses that adopt more flexible practices.

This year’s event also marked 100 years since the Labour Party first commemorated Workers’ Day in Malta.

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