Precarious employment in Malta continued to increase, with an extra 1,912 workers joining the ranks of those who depend on part-time employment as their primary occupation.
Precarity is a condition of employment without predictability or security, referring to the widespread condition of casual and intermittent work. In Malta it is faced by thousands of workers and the figures show no sign of abating.
In January 2007, there were 24,031 part-timers whose job was their primary employment. They increased to 25,943 (an increase of 8%) throughout the year.
Precarity particularly affects youth, women, and immigrants. The increase was roughly the same for men, who increased from 9,553 to 10,536; and women, who number greatly in this segment, from 14,478 to 15,407.
Another 20,485 part-timers in Malta also hold a full-time job. Men are more numerous in this cohort, numbering 14,739. Women numbered 5,476.
Since 2002, precarious employment has increased by 50% in just five years.
The number of part-timers who also hold a full-time job increased by 1,007 persons between January 2007 and January 2008.
Yesterday, labour market data for January 2008 released by the NSO indicated that the full-time gainfully occupied population increased by 3,295 persons while unemployment decreased by 845 persons when compared to January 2007.
In this way, the labour supply amounted to 149,899 persons. Of these, the full-time gainfully occupied population amounted to 143,436 persons, whilst the registered unemployed amounted to 6,463 persons.
The economic activities which registered the main growth in full-time employment were real estate, renting and business activities; other community, social and personal service activities – which includes betting companies; and hotels and restaurants.
The sector of real estate, renting and business activities increased 1,359 persons on its books. Among other activities, this sector includes accounting and auditing, security services and call centres.
The sector of other community, social and personal service activities increased by 869 persons. Besides other activities, this sector includes betting companies. Once again, hotels and restaurants reported an increase of 564 persons.
On the downside, the number of the gainfully occupied persons fell in manufacturing (982) and electricity, gas and water supply (136 persons).
On a year-on-year basis, the number of self-employed persons increased by 228 to reach 16,810 persons. The main economic activities in which the self-employed persons operate are wholesale and retail trade and construction.

mvella@mediatoday.com.mt