Adrian Delia Proposes 35-Hour Work Week, Finance Minister Caruana Cautions Against Immediate Implementation

PN MP Adrian Delia Advocates for Shorter Work Week

During a live discussion held on October 30, 2025, Nationalist Party (PN) Member of Parliament Adrian Delia put forward a proposal for a 35-hour work week in Malta. This suggestion came as an alternative to the ongoing debate surrounding a four-day work week, during a direct exchange with Finance Minister Clyde Caruana.

Rationale Behind Delia's Proposal

Delia's proposition centers on reducing the current standard 40-hour work week by five hours, while ensuring that workers maintain their existing wage levels. The former PN leader articulated that this change would enable individuals to 'enjoy life after work more' and could potentially encourage more people to consider starting a family. This move, he argued, would contribute to an improved work-life balance for the Maltese workforce.

Finance Minister Caruana Expresses Economic Concerns

In response to Delia's proposal, Finance Minister Clyde Caruana reiterated his long-standing position that a significant reduction in working hours, such as a four-day or 35-hour week, is not yet feasible for Malta. While not entirely against the concept in principle, Caruana highlighted the current economic disparities between Malta and countries like the Netherlands, where a shorter work week is more common. He noted that the Dutch workforce benefits from higher levels of education, increased productivity, and wages approximately three times higher than those in Malta.

Caruana warned that implementing such a policy prematurely, without a corresponding increase in national productivity, could lead to 'a lot of people getting (financially, economically) hurt.' He stressed that Malta's current economic structure does not yet allow for such a reform and that 'we have to be careful what we wish for' at this stage. The Minister has consistently maintained that any reconsideration of a shorter work week would be contingent upon a substantial increase in productivity across the country.

Broader Debate on Working Hours in Malta

The discussion between Delia and Caruana forms part of a wider national conversation regarding working hours and work-life balance in Malta. Opposition Leader Alex Borg had previously suggested trialling a four-day work week within the public sector, a proposal that met with pushback from the Malta Employers Association (MEA). The MEA has cautioned against 'populist work promises,' citing concerns about potential productivity losses and the exacerbation of existing labor shortages.

Conversely, trade unions such as UĦM Voice of the Workers and Forum Unions Maltin have also advocated for reduced working hours, including a 35-hour or 36-hour week, in their proposals for Budget 2026. These unions have expressed disappointment that their suggestions for improved work-life balance measures were not adopted in the latest budget.