The Centre for Labour Studies (CLS), renowned for its commitment to advancing understanding of labour-related issues, convened its flagship biennial event, the CLS Research Conference 2024, on 15 February 2024 at the University of Malta, Valletta Campus. The Conference provided a public platform to share and discuss the findings of original research produced by CLS academics and students. The Conference brought together scholars, policymakers, practitioners, alumni and students interested in matters related to the world of work.
Prof. Godfrey Baldacchino, who is the Chairperson of the CLS and a Professor of Sociology at the Department of Sociology, opened the plenary session, setting the tone for the Conference and inviting us to reflect on the changing conditions in the world of work. Dr Luke Fiorini’s paper, ‘Trade unions in Malta: perceptions of members and non-members’, offered an overview of the results of an extensive study. The study unveiled insights into why non-members opt not to join a trade union, alongside suggestions for enhancing membership engagement. This was followed by Prof. Manwel Debono's presentation, ‘An analysis of the relation between perceived shop stewards’ effectiveness and trade union members’ attitudes’, which offered novel findings on shop stewards' perceived effectiveness, emphasizing their pivotal role in union activities and member engagement. Prof. Anna Borg and Dr Krista Bonello Rutter Giappone presented initial findings from their in-depth interviewswith third-country national (TCN) women working in Malta in a range of sectors, in their paper ‘A Qualitative Study of the Work Experiences of South Asian Third-Country National Women in Malta’. Their research shed light on the challenges these women face, including discrimination and vulnerability due to the country's single permit system. The abstracts can be found online.
The plenary session also celebrated academic excellence, with awards presented to outstanding students (thanks to Simonds Farsons Cisk plc and the Farsons Foundation). Conrad D'Amato and Russel Bugeja Berry were recognised for their exceptional performance in the Bachelor in Work and Human Resources programme, while Raisa Ferranti and Franklin Grima received accolades for their achievements in the Bachelor in Occupational Health and Safety programme.
Following the awards ceremony, concurrent sessions showcased the varied research endeavours of alumni from the Bachelor in Work and Human Resources (Hons) and the Bachelor in Occupational Health and Safety (Hons) programmes. These sessions provided a platform for graduates to share insights from their dissertation work, contributing to the rich tapestry of knowledge at the conference. The Programme with the full list of papers is available online.
The organisational support provided by UM’s Conferences & Events Unit was indispensable.
The conference was very well-attended and highly successful. Throughout the evening, there were a total of thirteen papers presented, offering a range of perspectives on a variety of work-related topics, sparking further discussion and engagement among the participants and attendees.
