PM hints at reform addressing ‘anomaly’ limiting 16-18 year-olds in acts of commerce

Prime Minister Robert Abela has hinted at a reform which he said will be launched in the coming days, addressing what he described as an anomaly preventing youths aged between 16 and 18 from fully participating in acts of commerce, despite being encouraged to innovate and bring products to market.

Speaking during an interview on party media, Abela said that while young people are being incentivised to place products on the market and engage in research and innovation, the law currently limits their participation.

He said that those aged between 16 and 18 require parental permission and must go through a formal procedure that includes court processes in order to engage in commercial acts.

“To incentivise youths to continue excelling in research and innovation, we will launch a reform in the coming days to push research and innovation forward,” Abela said.

He spoke the importance of STEM subjects, particularly mathematics and science, noting that participation has increased among both boys and girls.

Referring to digital sectors and artificial intelligence, he described the opportunities being created as “phenomenal,” saying that the opportunities are endless in digital and AI, with incentives open to all.

Abela also referred to meetings with JA Malta and young people focused on innovation and research, who pointed out the anomaly, and said that government wants to ensure the legal framework supports the drive it is encouraging.

Abela also spoke about work-life balance, arguing that Malta is in a position to discuss such reforms because of the strength of its economy.

He contrasted Malta with other European countries where governments are focused on “freezing pensions, not increasing them,” facing exploding taxes, and discussions on quality-of-life measures “cannot even start.”

“In other countries around Europe, discussions like these are difficult or impossible because governments are preserving the basics,” he said.

He said Malta’s economic performance, including the trust placed in it by the International Monetary Fund, allows the country to open discussions on strengthening maternal, paternal and parental leave with social partners.

He spoke of measures including special leave arrangements, IVF leave extended to the self-employed, and accreditation of social security contributions, whereby government credits up to 10 years of contributions to guarantee pension rights.

Abela said that Malta is creating work that gives dignity and financial independence, which then allows discussions on time for family, recreation, and flexible work arrangements.

He described childcare as a key measure that strengthened participation in the workforce. Abela said Malta invested over €1 billion in childcare, contrasting it with systems such as in the United Kingdom, where limited childcare hours leave parents indebted.

He said that government recognised that some parents want to continue working while raising children, while others wish to be physically present during the early years of upbringing.

“Government’s role, he said, is to facilitate both realities,” Abela said.

The next step is to open discussions with social partners on strengthening maternal, paternal and parental leave, Abela said.

On remote working, Abela said flexibility must go hand in hand with productivity, stressing that key performance indicators must be reached.

Increased flexibility, he said, can strengthen productivity, but without productivity, “the economy concedes.”

“The foundation of everything remains an economy which is strong and generates more, and in parallel, we enter these quality-of-life discussions,” he said.

Abela said Malta Vision 2050 places the family at the centre of sustainable national development.

He said that discussions on a long-term vision began during the pandemic, when government realised the country could not remain focused solely on legislatures.

The final document, which is to be revealed this month, will reflect five main pillars and include a target to increase the income of the average Maltese family by a third more than the European income average.

He said that today the average wage is not taxed and that Malta has strong economic and financial management across sectors, including energy.

On energy, Abela referred to the current natural gas infrastructure, and said that Malta should have a pipeline that is hydrogen-ready as part of future planning.

He acknowledged that nine years may not seem long for a country, but planning until 2050 is essential.

Abela said that he would launch the vision, but implementation will fall to Malta’s youth, through structures such as a youth advisory forum and the National Youth Parliament.

He said that public consultation will always focus on government putting out the principles, rather than presenting final decisions immediately, keeping discussions open.

Abela described Vision 2050 as a potential “gamechanger” for Malta’s development, saying it would establish parameters for where the country wants to go.

He added that such a vision would have been beneficial had it been introduced 20 years ago. Abela spoke of Fort Campbell, Fort Tigné, Manoel Island, White Rocks and Fort San Salvatore as part of a plan to create large public parks from north to south.

Abela said that negotiations on Manoel Island with MIDI are in their final stages, with an agreement to be signed in the coming weeks that would revise contractual conditions and return the island to the public.

“White Rocks is also being reclaimed, and no government other than the current one would have taken such a decision,” Abela said.

Abela said certain areas such as White Rocks could be opened zone by zone, while on Manoel Island government will identify the best uses in consultation with the public, including outdoor sports facilities and cultural event spaces.

Abela spoke of what he described as a personal “dream project,” the regeneration of the Grand Harbour.

He referred to the current, ongoing regeneration of the area, including the Marsa ‘menqa,’ ongoing projects in the harbour area.

“We have picked up a strong rhythm in the Grand Harbour,” he said, acknowledging challenges but emphasising the enormous potential of the area.

He also spoke of the structural investment and work on the Ħal Far car racing track, where a high rate of works is currently underway.

Turning to culture, Abela said the sector defines the strength of a country.

He said that government investment increased from €2.3 million in 2013 to €125 million today, with employment rising from 3,000 to over 7,000 people.

Abela said band clubs were saved from closure following legal challenges stemming from previous legislation and argued that without intervention, the traditional ‘festas’ would have ended.

He said the first phase of a new cultural hub project has been concluded and that works are expected to begin in the coming weeks.

The project includes spaces of warehousing for Carnival floats in a state-of-the-art facility, as well as others, representing a significant investment in volunteers and the cultural sector.

“Culture is not a secondary priority, it is primary,” he said.

Abela also spoke about an informal summit held this week discussing the single market, the economy and competitiveness.

He described the EU single market as Malta’s largest asset and greatest attraction.

He defended Malta’s energy subsidies as one of the country’s best strategic decisions, saying that in a context where Malta imports 70% of what it consumes, stability was essential.

Abela said incentives such as those provided by Malta Enterprise will continue to ensure businesses remain strong.

Addressing questions about considering a potential “economic slowdown,” Abela warned against populist reactions to downturns seen in other European countries.

“Economic slowdown would mean less national income and reduced capacity to invest in families and quality of life,” Abela said.

He said that Malta moved from surplus to pandemic spending and is now reducing its deficit.

He said that revenue had exceeded projections, allowing government to introduce two tax cuts.

Abela said that growth must remain sustainable and aligned with Vision 2050 parameters.

He said that GDP will no longer be Malta’s sole economic measure, but rather, greater emphasis will be placed on wellbeing and quality of life.

“We are sending strong signals of economic stability,” he said, adding that the written vision clearly shows where Malta intends to go.

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