Bolt Not Informed About TCN Work Permit Refusals, Warns Of Possible Driver Shortage
Bolt Malta has been left in the dark about the reasons behind Identity Malta’s decision to refuse hundreds of work permit applications by third country nationals working in the cab and food courier industries, a spokesperson for the company has said.
The spokesperson told Lovin Mata that the company had been left confused by Identity Malta’s recent crackdown on third-country nationals, noting that in actual fact, the supply of drivers perfectly meets the company’s demands. “Any decrease in supply will hinder our business,” the spokesperson said. “This didn’t come from Bolt”.
Earlier today, Lovin Malta shared a refusal letter received by a driver and third-country national who has been working in the cab industry for the last couple of months, but has been living in Malta for over two years. The letter stated that his application was being refused because he was not needed since “there is no labour market shortage and no justified need for further TCN labour with Bolt”.
Identity Malta made this decision on the recommendations of JobsPlus, according to the letter.
Besides not being informed beforehand and finding out about the refusals through the media, Bolt’s spokesperson also said the company had tried to contact JobsPlus to understand the numbers used to make this decision that will inevitably impact many workers.
The spokesperson further stated that the number of refusals is increasing daily and that a lot more applications are expected to be turned away.
When asked about the €10,000 allegedly paid by third-country nationals to agencies promising to give them work in Malta, Bolt explained that how the workers get to the country is “in the hands of the relevant authorities; Bolt does not and can not intervene”.
While the spotlight has been on the cab and food courier industries, it seems that other sectors have taken a hit. Sources working in a cleaning company shared that some of their workers have also received refusal letters after paying a €300 renewal fee and despite working in Malta and with the same company for over two years.
Lovin Malta has reached out to Identity Malta and is awaiting a response.
If you have been affected by these permit refusals, reach out to [email protected] to share your story
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