The Malta Chamber Says Malta Can’t Afford “Cultural Leave”

The Malta Chamber of Commerce, Enterprise and Industry has strongly opposed a proposal by Owen Bonnici and Daniel Attard to introduce additional “cultural leave” for public sector employees in connection with feasts, Carnival and similar events.

While acknowledging the importance of preserving Maltese culture, the Chamber warned that Malta is currently operating in a tight labour market marked by rising wage pressures and skills shortages. It argued that further expanding leave entitlements would place added strain on businesses, particularly in the private sector, which must maintain productivity and competitiveness while financing its own wage bill.

The Chamber described the proposal as further “gold plating” public sector employment, noting that government wage expenditure is projected to rise from €962 million in 2019 to €1.4 billion by 2025 — an increase of nearly 45%. By November 2025, spending had already reached €1.29 billion.

It stressed that while public sector wages are funded through taxpayer revenue, the private sector must generate the economic value that sustains this system. The Chamber reiterated its long-standing concerns over incremental increases in leave entitlements and warned that well-intentioned policies must not undermine competitiveness, productivity or fiscal discipline.

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