Number Of People With Disabilities In The Workforce More Than Triples Since 2012

During a visit to the Lino Spiteri Foundation, Minister for Home Affairs, Security and Labour, Byron Camilleri, and Minister for Inclusion and Voluntary Work, Julia Farrugia, announced that the number of people with disabilities in the workforce has more than tripled since 2012.”

When compared with today, the number of people with disabilities registered in the workforce has risen from 1,699 in 2012 to 5,649.

During their visit to the Lino Spiteri Foundation, the Ministers had the opportunity to meet some of the foundation’s staff, who explained their daily work with various companies and individuals with disabilities to ensure their successful integration into the workforce.

The Ministers also had the opportunity to observe training classes offered by the Lino Spiteri Foundation, which aim to prepare people with disabilities for the workforce. Minister Byron Camilleri explained, “Over the past ten years, 1,400 people have received support from the Lino Spiteri Foundation, 88% of whom are now gainfully employed. A further 1,162 individuals have benefited from the job coaching provided by the Foundation.”

Currently, 14 people are receiving training at the Lino Spiteri Foundation, with a further 10 set to begin in November through the Headstart for Employment Programme. This initiative aims to create more opportunities through structured learning, individual coaching sessions, and on-the-job experiences.

Between June and September, following the introduction of the new measures, 227 companies paid the required contribution, generating around €1 million. These funds are being used to support the training of people with disabilities through the Lino Spiteri Foundation.

Minister Julia Farrugia explained, “The results we are achieving are not a matter of chance, but reflect a strong economy and a clear strategy for the country’s development. Today, Malta has a robust policy that genuinely focuses on the individual, and this is evident in the workforce. Between 2018 and now, we have trained around 300 people with disabilities through the EU co-financed INC Programme, alongside the ongoing Way to Work programme run by Agenzija Sapport. This month, we also launched Skill UP, a new unit within Agenzija Sapport aimed at strengthening the skills and competencies of people with disabilities, including those already in employment.

Minister Julia Farrugia concluded,“Furthermore, through a strategy that brings together multiple stakeholders and workplaces, the CRPD has trained over 18,000 workers on workplace inclusion between 2020 and 2025, helping to prepare more inclusive work environments.”

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