Digitalisation on the MCESD Agenda

Emphasis was placed on reskilling, upskilling, and lifelong learning to ensure that workers and businesses can adapt to digital transformation. Digitalisation is becoming an essential element in increasing productivity and safeguarding Malta’s competitiveness across many sectors, particularly in a rapidly changing global context.

Against this backdrop, and at the request of the General Workers’ Union (GWU) and the Chamber of Commerce, the MCESD discussed digitalisation and its importance in today’s world. The discussion, held together with the Social Partners, was attended by representatives from the Ministry for the Economy, Enterprise and Strategic Projects, the Malta Digital Innovation Authority (MDIA), Malta Enterprise, and the Malta Business Registry (MBR). These entities presented various initiatives, measures, and schemes related to digitalisation, supporting both workers and businesses in adapting to digital transformation.

MCESD Chairperson Maria Micallef stressed that without the necessary skills, the desired results cannot be achieved and therefore emphasised the importance of reskilling, upskilling, and lifelong learning. She noted that it is essential to look ahead and understand how digitalisation can be leveraged to enhance people’s quality of life while ensuring that sustainability and resilience remain central to promoting inclusive and sustainable development.

“Through the unique MCESD platform, Government and Social Partners can work together to ensure that digitalisation, while bringing inevitable change, remains a fair transformation that delivers results for both industry and workers. In this context, social dialogue remains essential to ensure that this change is inclusive, sustainable, and truly beneficial to all.”

The General Workers’ Union explained that it proposed this discussion out of the belief that workers must be equipped with the training and skills necessary to face ongoing changes in the world of work. It emphasised the importance of lifelong learning to help workers adapt to continuous transformation while working alongside Government and employers to enhance the value of workers in the labour market.

The Chamber of Commerce stated that digitalisation is an evolving reality that must be addressed with seriousness. It highlighted the importance of businesses benefiting from Government schemes, services, and initiatives to strengthen their competitiveness.

The MCESD Council positively welcomed the meeting, describing it as highly relevant to today’s realities, and put forward several recommendations to the relevant authorities on measures to further strengthen digitalisation for both workers and businesses.

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