The law applicable to an employment relationship in Malta depends on the industry within which that employee is engaged, in that, Maltese law establishes various rights and limitations that apply to specific sectors/industries.
These sector-specific rules are regulated by means of several sector-specific Wage Regulation Orders (WROs). Typically, these WROs would regulate minimum wages, overtime rates, special allowances and leave entitlements.
As an example. one such industry is the wholesale and retail industry, regulated by the Wholesale and Retail Trades Wages Council Wage Regulation Order, SL 452.63. This applies to wholesale merchants, distributors, importers, exporters, commission agents, wholesale and marketing co-operatives, retailers, lending libraries, auctioneers, hairdressers, consumers’ co-operatives and photographic studios, but excludes shops run under the management of a hotel or club (in respect of which a separate WRO applies).
Sector-specific WROs exist for: public transport; cinemas and theatres; printing and publishing; construction; allied industry; private schools; woodworks; hotels and clubs; the beverage industry; food manufacturing; hire of cars; laundry; tobacco industry; seafaring; agriculture; jewellery; clay and glass; travel insurance; plastic; paper and electronics; domestic services; the canning industry; digital platform delivery; and hospitals and clinics.
Each WRO defines the sector to which it applies in more detail.
Where no WRO applies to an industry (such as the i-gaming industry), other general conditions will apply.
