Collected
Non-EU workers in Malta currently have just 10 days to secure new employment and complete the necessary paperwork to remain in the country after being terminated from their jobs. A recent parliamentary petition, however, is calling for this window to be extended to as much as two months, arguing that the current timeframe is both “impractical and unjust.”
The petition, launched earlier this month, had already amassed over 1,400 signatures at the time of reporting. It highlights how the 10-day period forces workers into “hasty decisions” in their search for employment, leaving them vulnerable to exploitation and poor working conditions. Proponents argue that an extended period of 30 to 60 days would not only allow workers to find roles better suited to their qualifications but also ease administrative burdens on authorities.
Currently, Third-Country Nationals (TCNs)—workers from outside the European Union—must find a job and prepare all relevant documents within 10 days of losing their employment. Failure to do so results in their residence permits becoming invalid, forcing them to leave Malta.
The petition emphasizes that this short timeframe is unrealistic, particularly given the constraints of Malta’s labor market. It points to cases where TCNs, desperate to meet the deadline, are compelled to accept exploitative job offers with substandard conditions.
“This urgency imposed by the law places TCNs at the mercy of unscrupulous employers,” the petition states. “Numerous cases illustrate this exploitation, highlighting a systemic issue that necessitates legislative reform.”
The petition calls on Malta’s House of Representatives to repeal the 10-day rule and replace it with a fairer period of 30–60 days, aligning with international human rights standards and best labor practices.
Indian national and former practicing lawyer Dilraj Panakkal Bhasi, who initiated the petition, said many workers face this challenge, particularly in sectors like hospitality that employ large numbers of TCNs. He noted that finding work during off-peak seasons is especially difficult.
“I’ve received countless calls for advice,” Bhasi told “They are trying their best, but the current timeframe is just not feasible.” His motivation to start the petition stemmed from witnessing friends and others struggle under the restrictive policy.
A non-EU worker shared his own ordeal of finding a job within the 10-day limit, describing the experience as “horrible, like being uprooted.” While he managed to find a new position in time, he admitted the constant worry of losing his job remains. “Living for years in Malta and still having that worry makes you feel like you don’t belong anywhere,” he said.
A Longstanding Issue
This is not the first time calls have been made to extend the job-seeking period for TCNs. During the COVID-19 pandemic, when economic conditions were especially volatile, community leaders and employers suggested extending the timeframe to three months.
A 2023 Eurostat study revealed that nearly half of non-EU workers in Malta were overqualified for their jobs, underscoring the mismatch between their skills and opportunities in the local labor market. Furthermore, government figures from the same year showed that a quarter of hospitality sector employers were irregularly employing non-EU workers, illustrating systemic issues in the sector.
The petition’s supporters hope that extending the job-seeking period will bring greater fairness and stability for TCNs, while addressing Malta’s labor market challenges in a more sustainable way. Whether lawmakers will act on these demands remains to be seen.
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