Employees at the Malta Stock Exchange are set to benefit from improved wages and working conditions following the signing of a new Collective Agreement between the General Workers’ Union (GWU) and Malta Stock Exchange plc. The agreement will cover the period from 2025 to 2030.
Riccarda Darmanin, Secretary of the GWU’s Professionals, Finance and Services Section, expressed satisfaction with the outcome of the negotiations. “I am pleased with the discussions that took place and would like to thank management and all those involved in the negotiations, especially the workers’ representative. Together, with the support of all employees, we worked hand in hand to reach this agreement,” Darmanin said.
Executive Chairman of the Malta Stock Exchange, Joseph Portelli, also welcomed the agreement, thanking the GWU for the cordial meetings and expressing his contentment with the improvements achieved.
The agreement was signed by Riccarda Darmanin, Assistant Secretary Cynthia Schembri, and workers’ representative Melissa Muscat on behalf of the GWU. Representing the Malta Stock Exchange were Executive Chairman Joseph Portelli, Chief Officer Simon Zammit, Chief HR & Corporate Services Officer Alfred Sammut, Senior HR & CS Manager Therese Amato, and HR & CS Manager Elaine Paris.
The signing ceremony was held in the presence of GWU Secretary General Josef Bugeja, Permanent Secretary for People & Standards Joyce Cassar, and Head of the Industrial Relations Unit (P&SD) Thomas Woods.
Il-GWU tiltaqa’ mal-Ambaxxatur Tuneżin Zouheir Bouras
Nikkollaboraw għal aktar kooperazzjoni bejnietna.
Fil-laqgħa li kellha l-amministrazzjoni tal-General Workers’ Union (GWU) mal-Ambaxxatur tat-Tuneżija, l-E.T. Zouheir Bouras, it-tisħiħ tar-relazzjonijiet bilaterali bejn Malta u t-Tuneżija, il-ħaddiema u t-turiżmu kienu fiċ-ċentru tad-diskussjoni. Tkellmu fuq l-importanza tal-kollaborazzjoni biex issir ħidma konġunta fost oħrajn għall-ħaddiema Tuneżini f’Malta.
“Il-ħidma tat-trejd unjins hija importanti għall-ħaddiema meta jittieħdu deċiżjonijiet importanti kemm lokalment u kif ukoll dawk internazzjonali. Għalhekk nixtieq li nikkollaboraw flimkien biex inkunu ta’ għajnuna kemm għall-ħaddiema kif ukoll għal titjib fil-qasam tat-turiżmu,” qal l-E.T. Zouheir Bouras.
Huwa qal li f’Malta jgħixu madwar 1,000 persuna Tuneżina, ħafna minnhom jaħdmu bħala għaddasa fil-qasam tal-akwakultura. Jixtieq li permezz ta’ kollaborazzjoni mal-GWU dawn il-ħaddiema jingħataw l-appoġġ meħtieġ f’pajjiżna.
Semma’ wkoll li jara li hemm bżonn tissaħħaħ il-konnettivita bl-ajru biex tkun ta’ sostenn għall-qasam turistiku kemm f’pajjiżna kif ukoll fit-Tuneżija.
Is-Segretarju Ġenerali Josef Bugeja esprima li għall-GWU huwa ta’ pjaċir li jiltaqgħu u jagħtu l-appoġġ tagħhom lill-ħaddiema barranin.
“Huwa ta’ pjaċir għalina li nikkollaboraw flimkien għall-aħjar interess tal-ħaddiema Tuneżini f’Malta. Tajjeb li niltaqgħu u nesploraw opportunitajiet għal aktar kooperazzjoni bejnietna,” qal Josef Bugeja.
GWU and Tunisian Ambassador Discuss Bilateral Cooperation and Worker Support
Valletta, Malta – October 21, 2025
The administration of the General Workers’ Union (GWU) recently held a meeting with the Ambassador of Tunisia to Malta, H.E. Zouheir Bouras, to discuss strengthening bilateral relations between Malta and Tunisia, with a particular focus on workers’ rights and tourism.
Central to the discussion was the importance of collaboration to support Tunisian workers residing in Malta. Ambassador Bouras emphasized the role of trade unions in shaping key decisions both locally and internationally. “The work of trade unions is vital when important decisions are made, whether at a national or international level. I look forward to collaborating to support workers and improve the tourism sector,” he said.
The Ambassador noted that approximately 1,000 Tunisians currently live in Malta, many of whom are employed as divers in the aquaculture industry. He expressed his hope that through cooperation with the GWU, these workers would receive the necessary support while living and working in Malta.
He also highlighted the need to strengthen air connectivity between Malta and Tunisia to further bolster the tourism industry in both countries.
GWU Secretary General Josef Bugeja welcomed the opportunity for dialogue and expressed the union’s commitment to supporting foreign workers. “We are pleased to collaborate in the best interest of Tunisian workers in Malta. It is important to meet and explore opportunities for deeper cooperation,” Bugeja said.
