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Worker mental health first aid should be compulsory proposes union

Worker mental health first aid should be compulsory proposes union
Oct 21 2022 Share

The General Worker’s Union has highlighted the importance of mental health aid for all employees on all jobs by proposing making it compulsory as of the next budget. 

‘For many of us, work is a major part of our lives. It is where we spend much of our time, where we get our income and often where we make our friends’ the proposal read. 

‘All of us have times when life gets on top of us – sometimes that’s work-related, sometimes it’s our health, our relationships, or private circumstances. It is important that employers take care of the well-being of all employees by addressing mental health at work for those who are facing difficult times or are at risk.’ 

The union is proposing that new legislation/regulation is enacted to make it compulsory to have a mental health first aider in every workplace. 

‘Physical first aid is legally obliged in our workplaces; however, most do not cover mental health problems. Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) teaches people the skills to help someone who they’re concerned about.’

‘Awareness of mental health is increasing, but we still face a world where people with mental health problems face discrimination and can face challenges getting the help they need. Many people who experience stressed try to keep their feelings hidden because they are afraid of other people’s responses’.

‘When we enjoy good mental health, we have a sense of purpose and direction, the energy to do the things we want to do, and the ability to deal with the challenges that happen in our lives.’

Read full proposal here.

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4 day work week and 10 hour work days proposed by worker’s union

4 day work week and 10 hour work days proposed by worker’s union
Oct 21 2022 Share

Ahead of the 2023 Budget, the General Worker’s Union proposed two possible solutions to maintain a better work-life balance. 

According to their proposal list, the worker’s union stated that ’in a fast-paced new world of work, every employee is finding it very hard to reconcile his/her work and his/her family commitment.’ 

Thus, the union is proposing more flexible working arrangements as long as the flexibility still respects the Working time Directive. The first proposal is a 40 hour work week spread over 4 days as this will give an extra day off to the employee. 

However, this was not the only possible alternative to the current work structure the union is proposing. The GWU is proposing that those in a 24 hour operation spread over 7 days, the employees may have a choice to work 10 hours from Monday to Thursday or Friday to Sunday. 

‘Those working from Friday to Sunday will work for thirty hours and get paid for 40 hours (10 hours on Sunday translates to 40 hours of pay). ‘

The 4 day work week has been the talk of various countries trying out the system, but it had been previously shut down by Finance Minister Clyde Caruana ahead of last year’s budget. He said that worker productivity needs to drastically increase before Malta takes on the reform. 

Full proposal here.

#MaltaDaily

A happy 36th birthday to local chef Sean Gravina!

A happy 36th birthday to local chef Sean Gravina!
Oct 21 2022 Share

Here’s a big happy 36th birthday to local celebrity chef Sean Gravina. Owner of some of Malta’s most pristine restaurants and known for his passion for everything coming in and out of the kitchen, Sean has established himself in the local culinary scene as more than just a chef. 

Sean is also recognisable for his activist stance when it comes to speaking up about the local food and catering industry, making sure that it is moving in the best direction possible. 

But when he’s not in the kitchen serving up his delicious dishes, he is a family man – a father of two young boys with local singer and song writer Ira Losco. 

He’s also one of MaltaDaily’s best collaborators, having hosted some of our fan favourite cooking shows and segments.

 

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Happy birthday Sean and enjoy your day with your beloved family! 

#MaltaDaily

1 of 4 Maltese residents were born in foreign country in 2021

1 of 4 Maltese residents were born in foreign country in 2021
Oct 21 2022 Share

According to the Labour Force Survey which was carried out by the National Statistics Office in 2021, the majority of migrants in Malta (63.8%) were born outside of the European Union. 

Around 15% of migrants were born in Italy, followed by migrants born in the UK (14.6%) and the Philippines (10.5%). 21.3% others were born in other EU countries whereas 38.7% were born outside the EU. 

The statistics show that in 2021, one out of four people in Malta was born in foreign countries. 78.1% of migrants in Malta were aged between 25 and 54, whereas 7.2% were aged 15 to 24. 14.7% were aged between 55 and 74. 

Throughout the last 10 years, the number of migrants in Malta aged between 15 and 74 living in private residences increased significantly. A difference of 20.1% from 2012 was noted up until 2021. 

More than 50% of migrants in 2021 were recent migrants (meaning they had less than 8 years of residence). Meanwhile, 49.3% were established migrants (more than 8 years residency). 

The number of years varying in terms of residences varies according to levels oof education. The majority of people born abroad had a secondary level education (60%), whereas 50.3% and 57.5% had post-secondary to tertiary education levels respectively. 

Full statistics here.