{"id":2220,"date":"2023-01-20T07:28:00","date_gmt":"2023-01-20T07:28:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/rethinkq.adp.com\/?p=2220"},"modified":"2024-09-03T12:22:41","modified_gmt":"2024-09-03T11:22:41","slug":"real-people-talk-pay-malta","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/rethinkq.adp.com\/real-people-talk-pay-malta\/","title":{"rendered":"How six people in Malta earn their euros"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<header class=\"entry-header bg-adp-tan block--article-header alignfull block--article-header\" >\n\n  \n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full entry--image\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1920\" height=\"1280\" src=\"https:\/\/rethinkq.adp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/micaela-parente-Jd2XVXLQ0U-unsplash.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-2227\" srcset=\"https:\/\/rethinkq.adp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/micaela-parente-Jd2XVXLQ0U-unsplash.jpg 1920w, https:\/\/rethinkq.adp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/micaela-parente-Jd2XVXLQ0U-unsplash-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/rethinkq.adp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/micaela-parente-Jd2XVXLQ0U-unsplash-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/rethinkq.adp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/micaela-parente-Jd2XVXLQ0U-unsplash-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/rethinkq.adp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/micaela-parente-Jd2XVXLQ0U-unsplash-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/rethinkq.adp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/micaela-parente-Jd2XVXLQ0U-unsplash-375x250.jpg 375w, https:\/\/rethinkq.adp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/micaela-parente-Jd2XVXLQ0U-unsplash-1600x1067.jpg 1600w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1920px) 100vw, 1920px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group entry--title-wrapper\"><div class=\"wp-block-group__inner-container is-layout-flow wp-block-group-is-layout-flow\"><div class=\"entry--social-share\">\n  <ul>\n    <li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer\/sharer.php?u=https:\/\/rethinkq.adp.com\/real-people-talk-pay-malta\/&#038;t=How six people in Malta earn their euros\" target=\"_blank\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/rethinkq.adp.com\/wp-content\/themes\/rethink-quarterly\/img\/facebook.svg\" alt=\"Facebook logo - click to share this article on Facebook\"><\/a><\/li>\n    <li><a href=\"http:\/\/twitter.com\/share?text=How six people in Malta earn their euros&#038;url=https:\/\/rethinkq.adp.com\/real-people-talk-pay-malta\/\" target=\"_blank\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/rethinkq.adp.com\/wp-content\/themes\/rethink-quarterly\/img\/twitter.svg\" alt=\"Twitter logo - click to share this article on Twitter\"><\/a><\/li>\n    <li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/sharing\/share-offsite\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Frethinkq.adp.com%2Freal-people-talk-pay-malta%2F\" target=\"_blank\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/rethinkq.adp.com\/wp-content\/themes\/rethink-quarterly\/img\/linkedin.svg\" alt=\"LinkedIn logo - click to share this article on Facebook\"><\/a><\/li>\n  <\/ul>\n<\/div>\n\n          <span class=\"entry--tag tag-style\">Real People Talk Pay<\/span>\n    \n  <h1 class=\"entry-title\">How six people in Malta earn their euros<\/h1>\n\n\n<p class=\"is-style-summary-style\">A tax haven rich in history and soaked in sun: The tiny island nation between the coasts of Northern Africa and Italy has many stories to tell.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n  <div class=\"entry--meta content-width\">\n           <p class=\"authors\">By\n                        <a href=\"https:\/\/rethinkq.adp.com\/author\/julian-delia\/\">Julian Delia<\/a>\n\n             \n         \n     <\/p>\n    \n  \n  <p>20 January 2023  <span class=\"desktop-only\">\u2014<\/span> <a href=\"https:\/\/rethinkq.adp.com\/issue-7-equality\/\">Issue 7: Equality<\/a> \n  <\/div><!-- .entry-meta -->\n\n<\/header><!-- .entry-header -->\n\t<div class=\"entry-content content-width\">\n\n\n\n<p>Malta changed hands many times before it became a sovereign state in 1964. Its location in the Mediterranean between Italy, Tunisia and Libya made it a desirable naval base. Over millennia, the Phoenicians, Romans, Greeks, Arabs, Normans, Sicilians, French and British all came and went, influencing the country\u2019s language, cuisine and culture in the process.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The Maltese islands \u2014 Malta and Gozo, with the much smaller, mostly uninhabited islet Comino between them \u2014 have become a popular holiday destination. But this idyllic reputation has its downsides: Malta\u2019s economy, reliant on sun-seeking tourists, took a sharp nose-dive during Covid-19. While 2019 saw around \u20ac2.2 billion in tourism-related turnover, that revenue <a href=\"https:\/\/www.statista.com\/statistics\/1171127\/travel-and-tourism-gdp-contribution-malta\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">plummeted<\/a> by 70% to \u20ac658.8 million in 2020.<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"block--sidebar bg-adp-purple alignright\"><div class=\"block--sidebar__inner\">\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Malta<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>\u20ac100 = $98<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Population of Malta: 518,500<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Area: 316 sq km<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Capital: Valletta<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Official languages: Maltese and English<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Minimum wage: \u20ac4.60<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Average hourly wage: \u20ac9.50<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>Sources: <a href=\"https:\/\/nso.gov.mt\/en\/News_Releases\/Documents\/2022\/03\/News2022_047.pdf\">National Statistics Office, Malta<\/a>, the <a href=\"https:\/\/dier.gov.mt\/en\/employment-conditions\/wages\/pages\/national-minimum-wage.aspx\">Department of Industrial and Employment Relations<\/a> (DIER) and <a href=\"https:\/\/timesofmalta.com\/articles\/view\/women-earn-3000-less-than-men-in-annual-basic-salary.878582\">Times of Malta<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n<p>Today, tourism on the island has bounced back to near pre-pandemic levels. In the quest to fuel economic growth in the past three decades, Malta\u2019s financial and legal services industry have turned the once-insular nation into an international tax haven.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>According to the <a href=\"https:\/\/theshiftnews.com\/2021\/09\/06\/malta-among-17-tax-havens-worldwide-used-by-big-banks-to-book-e20-billion-in-profits-every-year\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">EU Tax Observatory Report<\/a>, Malta is one of 17 tax havens across the world where major European banks prefer to declare their profits. While Malta\u2019s corporate tax rate is as high as 35%, tax rebates intended to attract international companies effectively lower that rate to 5%.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The Maltese islands punch above their weight, with the international community watching closely. The country of 518,500 residents achieved a gross domestic product of $17.2 billion in 2021. The multicultural country is a fertile ground for business, and it will host <a href=\"https:\/\/rethink.adp.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">ADP ReThink<\/a> from 31 January to 2 February 2023.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>To get a better understanding of how people live in Malta, we asked six Maltese people about their first and future paychecks.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:100px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image alignwide size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" src=\"https:\/\/rethinkq.adp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/Nicola-Camilleri-1-CC-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-2224\" srcset=\"https:\/\/rethinkq.adp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/Nicola-Camilleri-1-CC-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/rethinkq.adp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/Nicola-Camilleri-1-CC-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/rethinkq.adp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/Nicola-Camilleri-1-CC-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/rethinkq.adp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/Nicola-Camilleri-1-CC-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/rethinkq.adp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/Nicola-Camilleri-1-CC-375x250.jpg 375w, https:\/\/rethinkq.adp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/Nicola-Camilleri-1-CC-1600x1067.jpg 1600w, https:\/\/rethinkq.adp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/Nicola-Camilleri-1-CC.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Nicola Camilleri, 24<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Mental health service leader&nbsp;<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>When I was 17, I began working two part-time retail jobs. While in sixth form and university, I was working around 30 hours or more a week. My income at that time was around \u20ac500 per month.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>I am currently earning close to around \u20ac20,000 a year. In my opinion, professionals working in the field of mental health are not paid or given much incentive locally.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Advancing higher up does not lead much to an increase in wage. And advancing in your education does not necessarily lead to a wage difference, either. Compared with other countries, local professionals in the field are highly overlooked.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>But I chose to remain in this field as it is something that I am passionate about. The financial aspect to it does not outweigh the satisfaction I feel. The financial challenges are not solely dictated by the organization I work for \u2014 it goes beyond that and is sociopolitical in nature.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>I manage a hostel where 10 residents with different mental health challenges reside, and coordinate the team members. This leaves little time for myself. On weekdays I always end up staying past my working hours, leaving two days a week to focus on my university responsibilities, re-charge and live my life.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>I am in my final year of studies for a MSc in Health Psychology. I hope it will open further occupational opportunities. Our generation faces many financial challenges, and it is difficult to make ends meet with the current salaries being offered in this country.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:100px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image alignwide size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" src=\"https:\/\/rethinkq.adp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/Sean-Decelis-1-CC-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-2226\" srcset=\"https:\/\/rethinkq.adp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/Sean-Decelis-1-CC-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/rethinkq.adp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/Sean-Decelis-1-CC-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/rethinkq.adp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/Sean-Decelis-1-CC-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/rethinkq.adp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/Sean-Decelis-1-CC-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/rethinkq.adp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/Sean-Decelis-1-CC-375x250.jpg 375w, https:\/\/rethinkq.adp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/Sean-Decelis-1-CC-1600x1067.jpg 1600w, https:\/\/rethinkq.adp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/Sean-Decelis-1-CC.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Sean Decelis, 36<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Food and beverage server<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>I&nbsp;was a teenager when I got my first job in the textile industry. I found it quite exciting and fun at the time. My job basically consisted of receiving orders for raw materials and retrieving them, weighing them out and packing them up.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>I can\u2019t remember exactly what I was paid, but it wasn\u2019t more than 2 Maltese lira (equivalent to around \u20ac4.60) an hour. My goal was to make enough money to buy a limited edition Iron Maiden CD box set, so I was happy about achieving that.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>I got my first catering gig at 17 and later worked at a bar for seven years. I always felt like work was a way of keeping myself financially stable while doing other things that I enjoy, like drawing and theater. I always tried to strike a balance rather than becoming rich off my work.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>While I do think it is important to have things to do, I think the balance I am seeking is far more important. I would say that my current role is the most stable job with fixed hours that I\u2019ve ever had. Should the bar I\u2019m working in keep growing, I do look forward to the possibility of being a part of that growth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Since I started working full-time, I think I\u2019ve saved up around \u20ac5,000. I live with my parents, so I don\u2019t pay rent. I eat out, but I don\u2019t really budget. I don\u2019t really think about whether I\u2019m spending too much or too little.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>I also don\u2019t have a lot of expenditure. I don\u2019t feel the need to buy new clothes all the time. I like to find creative solutions like buying material and paying someone to sew clothes for me.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:100px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image alignwide size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" src=\"https:\/\/rethinkq.adp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/Francesca-Tonna-1-CC-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-2223\" srcset=\"https:\/\/rethinkq.adp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/Francesca-Tonna-1-CC-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/rethinkq.adp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/Francesca-Tonna-1-CC-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/rethinkq.adp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/Francesca-Tonna-1-CC-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/rethinkq.adp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/Francesca-Tonna-1-CC-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/rethinkq.adp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/Francesca-Tonna-1-CC-375x250.jpg 375w, https:\/\/rethinkq.adp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/Francesca-Tonna-1-CC-1600x1067.jpg 1600w, https:\/\/rethinkq.adp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/Francesca-Tonna-1-CC.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Francesca Tonna, 32<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Marketing manager<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>My first job was as a data input clerk for an interior design company \u2014 I was 16 years old. I remember I bought a pair of Converse trainers with the paycheck, and I was so happy to have them.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>I always wanted to get into the tourism industry \u2014&nbsp;I\u2019m the third generation of the family that owns the travel agency I work for. I just love the fact that you get to help people enjoy something special that they have been saving up for.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Most of our clients are American, so for them to come all the way to Malta is quite a special thing. I get to meet loads of different people from different cultures, so I\u2019m never bored at work.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Before Covid, a lot of my work consisted of meetings with tour operators, going to fairs abroad and so on. During Covid, we lost a lot of staff. Given the size of the company, we were all quite close, which made it sad when a lot of people just left the company or the industry altogether because they couldn\u2019t handle the stress of the uncertainty.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>We spent the last two years in negative revenue because we had to give people refunds and we didn\u2019t have money coming in.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>This year, work picked up as quickly as it shut down during the pandemic. We all had to do a lot of pitching in until we rebuilt the team. As a company, we are still working reduced hours \u2014 we haven\u2019t gone back up to 40-hour weeks yet, we\u2019re on 35 at the moment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The long-term plan is for me to start taking over the company from my father. It was a process we had spoken about before Covid, but he wasn\u2019t just going to throw me into the deep end while we were going through all that. So now that we\u2019re recovering and getting business back, we\u2019ll restart that process. Hopefully I\u2019ll be a part of the third generation that moves it forward.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:100px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image alignwide size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" src=\"https:\/\/rethinkq.adp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/Luciano-Ellul-2-CC-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-2225\" srcset=\"https:\/\/rethinkq.adp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/Luciano-Ellul-2-CC-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/rethinkq.adp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/Luciano-Ellul-2-CC-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/rethinkq.adp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/Luciano-Ellul-2-CC-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/rethinkq.adp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/Luciano-Ellul-2-CC-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/rethinkq.adp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/Luciano-Ellul-2-CC-375x250.jpg 375w, https:\/\/rethinkq.adp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/Luciano-Ellul-2-CC-1600x1067.jpg 1600w, https:\/\/rethinkq.adp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/Luciano-Ellul-2-CC.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Luciano Ellul, 32<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Diving instructor<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>I was 14 years old when I earned my first paycheck. I worked in the catering industry for 15 years. At the very beginning, I was a commis chef. The pay I made was obviously low since I was just a 14-year-old working a summer job.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>I spent the rest of my catering career going up the kitchen\u2019s ranks, and I was eventually running kitchens and restaurants.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Working in a commercial kitchen is like being on a see-saw: Creating something that is good and that people want to eat and pay for is really rewarding. On the other hand, there is the downside of not having holidays or weekends free. In my early 20s, while other people my age were going out all weekend, I was stuck at work, so I missed out on a lot. The pay was good, but the work takes a toll.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Eventually, I couldn\u2019t ignore my own doubts about whether I wanted to spend the rest of my life working 70 hours a week to have one day off \u2014 which I would normally spend sleeping just to recover \u2014 so I became a professional diver.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>I\u2019ve been a diving instructor for four years now. It\u2019s a complete day-night switch from catering, literally \u2014 you work throughout nights in catering while diving centers work throughout the day most of the time. People come to diving centers for leisure, so that\u2019s the general vibe.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>As for pay, it changes seasonally, like everything else in this job. A diving instructor can expect to earn a minimum of \u20ac1,000 a month alongside subcontractor jobs for commercial diving.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>While we did have to close because of Covid-19 shutdowns, when we reopened and locals couldn\u2019t travel, they chose to try out new things, like diving. So, believe it or not, we were extremely busy during the summer seasons of the Covid pandemic.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>I generally learned to live with very little and to make do with what I have, so economically I\u2019m well off in that sense. I don\u2019t see any big changes headed my way in the very near future.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>For me to commit to another career switch, it would have to be an opportunity that is better in all areas, though \u2014 it can\u2019t be just like earning more money but then also having to work more hours. Whatever happens, I\u2019m sure I want to remain in the water as long as I can.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:100px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image alignwide size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" src=\"https:\/\/rethinkq.adp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/Karl-Tanti-1-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-2222\" srcset=\"https:\/\/rethinkq.adp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/Karl-Tanti-1-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/rethinkq.adp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/Karl-Tanti-1-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/rethinkq.adp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/Karl-Tanti-1-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/rethinkq.adp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/Karl-Tanti-1-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/rethinkq.adp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/Karl-Tanti-1-375x250.jpg 375w, https:\/\/rethinkq.adp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/Karl-Tanti-1-1600x1067.jpg 1600w, https:\/\/rethinkq.adp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/Karl-Tanti-1.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Karl Tanti, 32<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Corporate lawyer<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>I made my first paycheck working as a pool boy. I spent a good number of years doing that, earning a low pay and working full shifts, sometimes double shifts, constantly on my feet and in the sun.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>You learn a lot of things about people \u2014 it\u2019s quite surprising how sometimes guests just want to have a frank conversation with you, especially guests that travel alone, even though I was just 16 years old.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>I always liked the hospitality aspect of jobs, and all of mine have been about dealing with people.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>I enrolled in a law course against the advice of practically everyone in my family. It was a time in which there weren\u2019t so many opportunities for lawyers here in Malta. It was a bit of a running joke in the country, actually: \u201cJoin the law course and apply for unemployment in six years&#8217; time.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>While I was pursuing my studies, there was a huge shift in the Maltese economy with the opening of the financial services and gaming services industry.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>All of a sudden, lawyers were in high demand. I graduated in 2014, so I\u2019ve been working as a lawyer with the same firm for eight years now. Recently, I formally made the move to the business advisory department, which I\u2019ll be responsible for.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>I have a very good relationship with all my colleagues and the partners of the firm, so when the opportunity arose to start a completely new job within the same company, I immediately accepted.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>As for work-life balance, this is another running joke with lawyers and a lot of other professions in Malta. We work extremely long hours, and the job can be extremely stressful at times. I think I\u2019m lucky that the firm that I\u2019m in has started to embrace more programs that allow more flexibility for all employees, especially after Covid.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Now that I\u2019ll be mostly focused on the advisory aspect, I\u2019ll be in the office instead of going to court all the time. Ultimately, any lawyer\u2019s goal in a firm is to eventually become a partner, but I think I\u2019m still quite far off from that.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:100px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image alignwide size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" src=\"https:\/\/rethinkq.adp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/Annmarie-Abela-2-CC-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-2221\" srcset=\"https:\/\/rethinkq.adp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/Annmarie-Abela-2-CC-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/rethinkq.adp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/Annmarie-Abela-2-CC-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/rethinkq.adp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/Annmarie-Abela-2-CC-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/rethinkq.adp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/Annmarie-Abela-2-CC-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/rethinkq.adp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/Annmarie-Abela-2-CC-375x250.jpg 375w, https:\/\/rethinkq.adp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/Annmarie-Abela-2-CC-1600x1067.jpg 1600w, https:\/\/rethinkq.adp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/Annmarie-Abela-2-CC.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Annmarie Abela, 25<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Dairy farmer<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>I have been involved in this line of work since I was very young. I went to the Malta College of Arts, Science and Technology, a vocational education institute, and graduated in animal management and veterinary nursing. I briefly tried working in an office but I really didn\u2019t enjoy it, so I came back to work on our family farm. The idea of spending eight hours staring at a laptop really didn\u2019t work for me. If you pinch a cow, it will react; a laptop can\u2019t possibly do that, you just type in commands and it obeys.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Spending time with our cows and knowing that they understand you are there for them every day is a really special feeling.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Our work is the same every day. We wake up at 5:30 a.m., go to the farm, walk around to make sure all the cows are OK, and then we begin. We milk the cows while my dad starts feeding them. Then we do some cleaning, feed the younger ones, and make sure all the animals have water to drink. At 1 p.m., we go back home for a break and then come back around 4 p.m. and do the same things until 8 p.m. I like the routine we have. If you don\u2019t, you can\u2019t really do this kind of work.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Covid made quite an impact on the amount of products we sold. When the airports were closed and tourists weren\u2019t coming to Malta, hotels and restaurants were closed, so we sold a lot less. It\u2019s slowly picking up again now.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>I would like to learn more about cows, and maybe read for a master\u2019s degree that specializes in that. Unfortunately, this kind of degree is not available in Malta \u2014 you need to either go abroad or do a course online. I would prefer to do it online.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>I feel so invested in our farm that I don\u2019t like the idea of going overseas for a long time and leaving everything behind. Even going for a holiday is something that bugs me; I love this place too much.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>When I have peace of mind that our animals have been fed and that their environment is clean and healthy for them, then your day is done and everyone\u2019s happy.<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"block--author\">      <div class=\"block-author__inner\">\n        <div class=\"author--image\">\n                      <a href=\"https:\/\/rethinkq.adp.com\/author\/julian-delia\/\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/rethinkq.adp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/Julian_Delia-298x305.jpg\" alt=\"\" \/><\/a>\n                  <\/div>\n        <div class=\"author--info\">\n                      <a href=\"https:\/\/rethinkq.adp.com\/author\/julian-delia\/\" class=\"author--name\">Julian Delia<\/a>\n\n          \n          <p><b>Julian Delia<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> is a freelance journalist based in Malta. His work has been published by The Times of Malta, The Shift News, and Politico. He is also an activist and regularly works with civil society organizations. He enjoys spending his free time listening to music, writing poetry and stories, and meeting interesting people.<\/span><\/p>\n          <div class=\"block--author-social\"><ul class=\"author--socials\"><li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/in\/julian-delia\/\" title=\"LinkedIn\" target=\"_blank\"><i class=\"fab fa-linkedin\"><\/i><\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/div>\n        <\/div>\n      <\/div>\n       <\/div>\n\n<div class=\"block--recommended-content alignwide is-style-bg-adp-tan\"><div class=\"block-recommended-content__inner\">\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Read more<\/h2>\n\n\n<div class=\"block--article-pushpoint pushpoint__small\">      <div class=\"block-article-pushpoint__inner\">\n        <a href=\"https:\/\/rethinkq.adp.com\/zero-gravity-chaperone-unique-job\/\">\n        <div class=\"pushpoint--image\">\n          <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/rethinkq.adp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/KSC-05pd2480_large-1084x576.jpeg\" alt=\"\" \/>\n        <\/div>\n        <div class=\"pushpoint--info\">\n                    <span class=\"pushpoint--title\">The zero-gravity chaperone<\/span>\n          <p>Michelle Peters has completed over 5,000 parabolas on more than 200 flights as an educator with a commercial space company. <\/p>        <\/div>\n      <\/a><\/div> <\/div>\n\n<div class=\"block--article-pushpoint pushpoint__small\">      <div class=\"block-article-pushpoint__inner\">\n        <a href=\"https:\/\/rethinkq.adp.com\/real-people-talk-pay-suez-egypt\/\">\n        <div class=\"pushpoint--image\">\n          <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/rethinkq.adp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/six-in-suez-1084x576.jpg\" alt=\"\" \/>\n        <\/div>\n        <div class=\"pushpoint--info\">\n                    <span class=\"pushpoint--title\">How six people in Suez earn their Egyptian pounds<\/span>\n          <p>This important port city in Egypt, connecting Europe and Asia, is home to about 774,000 people.<\/p>        <\/div>\n      <\/a><\/div> <\/div>\n\n<div class=\"block--article-pushpoint pushpoint__small\">      <div class=\"block-article-pushpoint__inner\">\n        <a href=\"https:\/\/rethinkq.adp.com\/real-people-talk-pay-athens-greece\/\">\n        <div class=\"pushpoint--image\">\n          <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/rethinkq.adp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/General_Athens-2-1084x576.jpg\" alt=\"\" \/>\n        <\/div>\n        <div class=\"pushpoint--info\">\n                    <span class=\"pushpoint--title\">How 6 people in Athens earn their euros<\/span>\n          <p>After weathering a financial crisis, people in Greece\u2019s historic capital city are building a brighter future.\n<\/p>        <\/div>\n      <\/a><\/div> <\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n<section class=\"wp-block-group alignfull section--sign-up has-background\" style=\"background-color:#7967ae\"><div class=\"wp-block-group__inner-container is-layout-flow wp-block-group-is-layout-flow\">\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center is-style-default has-white-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\"><a href=\"\/sign-up\/\">Sign up<\/a> to keep up to date with ReThink Q.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/section>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>A tax haven rich in history and soaked in sun: The tiny island nation between the coasts of Northern Africa and Italy has many stories to tell.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":2227,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":true,"footnotes":""},"categories":[36],"tags":[185,277,276,260,61,212],"coauthors":[258],"class_list":["post-2220","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-real-people-talk-pay","tag-europe","tag-income","tag-malta","tag-personal-finance","tag-real-people-talk-pay","tag-tourism","issue-issue-7-equality"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v26.5 - 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