Friday 8 April 2022

Malta 1st national event on Digital Transformation of the workplace The Malta Chamber and the Malta Business Bureau in association with the General Workers Union organised a webinar event discussing two key topics from the EU autonomous framework agreement on digitalization, namely (i) Modalities on Connecting and Disconnecting and (ii) Respect of Human Dignity and Surveillance. The event was organised as part of the Transformwork Project.
The event saw the participation of the main five cross-sectoral social partners in Malta. The employers were represented by The Malta Chamber, the Malta Employers Association, and the Malta Chamber of SMEs. The workers representatives were represented by the General Workers Union and UHM Voice of the Workers.
Other special guests were invited to share their expertise and experiences on specific topics such as the psychological impact of excessive use of technology, the legal parameters of surveillance, and best practices on implementing positive cultures at the workplace.
The main outcomes of the discussion revolved around the need to promote more positive cultures in companies and implement proactive HR policies that are centred on flexibility, respect and trust, in the relationship between employers and employees.
There was also agreement on the need of continuously creating awareness on the downside effects of excessive use of technology and the need for training to disconnect from digital tools during leisure time.
It was agreed that monitoring and surveillance should only go as far as what is needed for the purpose of securing the work environment and to gather data for productive purposes. Employees should be made aware when surveillance takes place and employers should gather data through transparent process and by meeting full GDPR requirements.
There were divergent views on the need for legislation, with workers representatives arguing for legislation on the Right to disconnect while employer legislations favouring a review of existent legislations such as the Working Time Directive and evaluate whether it requires refining to adapt to fast evolving digital realities. Nonetheless, employers insisted that any future legislation should not be overly prescriptive and avoids a one-size fits all solution in view of the diverse condition applicable to companies of different sizes and operating in different economic sectors.
During the event, the Malta Chamber launched a policy guideline document on the Right to disconnect for businesses and has subsequently distributed it widely among its membership. It is committed to continue proactively creating more awareness on this very relevant topic.
The event also included a presentation on the EU Autonomous Framework Agreement on Digitalisation and the TransFormWork project.

 

Topic Speaker
Opening Remarks Alison Mizzi, President, Malta Business Bureau
The Autonomous Framework Agreement Daniel Debono, EU Affairs Manager, Malta Business Bureau
TransFormWork Project Daniel Debono, EU Affairs Manager, Malta Business Bureau
The Malta Chamber Guidelines on the Right to Disconnect Diana Miceli, Projects Manager, Malta Chamber
Modalities of Connecting & Disconnecting – Striking the
balance Daniel Debono to Moderate
Social Partners: The Malta Chamber – Dr. Marthese Portelli, CEO
General Workers Union – Mr. Mark Farrugia, Representative Malta
Employers Association – Mr. Joseph Farrugia, Director General UHM Voice
of the Workers – Mr. Gian Paul Gauci, Deputy CEO Chamber of SMEs – Mr. Marcel Mizzi, Vice President
Glued to Technology: the psychological impact Ms. Mireille Pellegrini Petit, Thrive Positive
Surveillance – The Legal parameters Dr. Lara Pace, Ganado Advocates
Company Best Practice Mr. Chris Busuttil Delbridge, Evolve
Q&A / Comments Participants
Reactions to Psychological Impact, Surveillance & Concluding comments Daniel Debono to Moderate Social Social Partners: The Malta Chamber – Dr. Marthese Portelli, CEO
General Workers Union – Mr. Mark Farrugia, Representative Malta
Employers Association – Mr. Joseph Farrugia, Director General UHM Voice
of the Workers – Mr. Gian Paul Gauci, Deputy CEO Chamber of SMEs – Mr. Marcel Mizzi, Vice President
Closing Moderator Daniel Debono