Is the move to Malta worth it?

Could I just add another Q.
With it been a 6 month contract (with an option to extend on certain conditions), Would I have to pay TAX pro rata? I believe the thresh hold is €8500?? Thanks.

Hi vodkaphix,

welcome to the forum.

Not only would you have to pay taxes (although not that much) but you would have to pay NI too if you extend your contract.

To be honest ...........it is not worth it!

The main criteria for Arriva Malta is to speak Maltese as many Maltese don't speak English. So the job as driver can only be temporary until they train enough Maltese to drive a bendy-bus.

Do you have any other qualifications apart from the bus driving licence that might get you a better job here in Malta? If not , I would avoid Malta as there are not many jobs here.

Cheers
Ricky

Hi Ricky
Thanks for your reply
I do have customer service telephony based experience albeit it was a long time ago and working in call centres. I believe that HSBC have a centre there too. That is IMHO a hard task also as it is target driven and a very high pressurized environment with regards to timings.
IT seems that ALL vacant jobs are either not worth the salary or are slave driven to some extent - world wide.
A sign of the times!!!
Back to the drawing board!

Hi vodkaphix,

the reason the jobs are being offered is because not even the Maltese are willing to work the hours for that pay !

Working for Arriva is certainly in a highly pressurized environment.

Cheers
Ricky

vodkaphix,

I guess you have already read this (it was published last month here in Malta but it was initially covered in the Irish media) but just in case:
- http://www.thejournal.ie/fas-job-offer- … 2-Mar2013/
- http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/vi … eek.463199

ricky wrote:

the reason the jobs are being offered is because not even the Maltese are willing to work the hours for that pay !

I assume that you know from knowing some past/present Maltese drivers?

It is quite poor pay TBH, but then the whole industry Europe wide is the same. In the UK, we are expected to work for minimum wage or less in the same job. Hence why I left! I think I shall be leaving the industry after 20 years, especially with the new driver CPC (certificate of professional competence) launch in September 2013/4 (2008) for both PCV and HGV drivers. This is just another form of generating money from an industry, that is already heavily legislated, arguably so on safety concerns!
A lot of drivers older than me who have been in the industry for 25+ years will also leave. The pay is Minimal across the board, no more overtime, weekend, night unsociable hours rates. ALL gone!

Lusco wrote:

I guess you have already read this (it was published last month here in Malta but it was initially covered in the Irish media) but just in case:
- http://www.thejournal.ie/fas-job-offer- … 2-Mar2013/
- http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/vi … eek.463199

Hi Lusco
YES, I had read similar and it is how I became aware of the vacancy.
Although, I feel that it is controversial.
Whilst the wages are low, had they have been better. The job would have been suitable for someone in my position. But when you do the math, as Ricky has said prior, it is not worth it!

To be brief......

......go back to backpacking.

Good Luck

Mike

Thanks Mike
It seems that will be a course for consideration. I am getting nowhere fast and the opportunities are dwindling!

Things have to change, they simply MUST!

Noel

Have you considered what other skills you have?
Many of us have what are known as 'transferable personal skills' which though they are not our 'trade' are skills which can help towards employment in other areas.

List all the components of your main trade for example, responsibility, time keeping, presentation, face to face with public = negotiating skills.

Some more:

Fitting in
Persuading
Self-motivation, self-regulation and self-assurance
Teamworking
Transforming
Willingness to learn

Then see what other opportunities there may be and apply that list to the personal qualities being looked for by an employer.
Anyone can be trained to perform a job but can they be effective and productive? Emphasise what you can offer.

Don't think that you have to stay 'stuck' with your original trade/profession. Many change career paths and the 'norm' now is to expect to do so 3 times in any working lifetime.

I recommend that you read this article:

John Fisher's personal transition curve - 2012 - the stages

which you will find here:

http://www.businessballs.com/personalchangeprocess.htm

I wish you the very best of luck, go get it!!

Hi there Vodaphix,
I need to keep this brief because I am busy right now, but I will get back to you later...
I would go for it; You have nothing to lose. I have lived in France for several years and the standard of living is quite high here, but most people would be happy with a job that paid over a 1000 euros a month.
Will post later...

Hi there again,
OK, from what I understand, you have no job and no welfare rights at the moment and you have been offered a 6 month contract as a bus driver.
I understand that going to Malta will be an initial output of money that you don't appear to have at the moment, but if you can get the money to get there, then you have nothing to lose.  In your position I would definately accept the job and pay back the money to your family members as soon as Arriva reimbourse you. Alot of people wouldn't even have the option of borrowing from anyone.
However, I would try to negociate a months' stay  with the company in a hotel rather than 2 weeks.
Forget about looking for a complete place of your own to begin with. Try to rent a room with a kitchenette where all the bills (water, electricity, etc) are included.  There are plenty of nice rooms to rent in nice homes and you can often find rooms with independent entrances, access to a pool/garden etc...
If your 6 month contract is renewed, or if you find another job meanwhile, you will the be in a position of being able to look for a place of your own later in the year.
I have lived all over the world, sometimes with no prospects and no money, but I have always managed to find better opportunities by accepting those offers that appear less attractive to begin with.
Put it this way, in the worse case scenario, in 6 months time you will have no job again, but you would have something else on your CV and you would have paid in to the Maltese system which will allow you some welfare rights...

I hope this is of some help.  I hate to sound judgemental, but I wonder if some of the other people who have commented have really been in a position of need before.  Someone in Malta is offering you something that appears reasonably fair to me, in comparison to staying in Ireland where no-one is offering you anything!  At least if you went and hated it you wouldn't be left wondering... 

Good luck and let us know how you get on...

one thing that nobody has mentioned is the the overtime available here - my mate is a bus driver here and is working lots of overtime - sometimes his shifts are in excess of 18 hrs - putting aside the legality of that - his earnings are better but at a level of risk. it may be madness but when needs must to get you going.

Hi vodkaphix,

if you go for Li's advice (which is legitimate) just make sure that your salary is paid by check or cash as you will not be able to open a bank account here in Malta until you are a resident which takes about 6 months !

That is something concerning the new residency applications that Arriva have not even sorted out themselves with charging resident rates or higher rates for foreigners.

I'm also not sure what welfare rights in Malta Li is talking about as there are non that I know of.

I wish you good luck and the right choice too.

Cheers
Ricky

is li talking about healthcare - welfare -----? as i dont know of any welfare rigts either - whether your a taxpayer or not. short or long term - maybe someone can enlighten us all.

Hello again,
You are right, I have not been very clear. Apologies. I will look in to the legal side of things and try to enlighten you without saying the wrong thing!
However,there is a good healthcare system in Malta, and if the man paid in to it he would have health care rights, which he most probably does not have in Ireland right now.  I am not talking about benefits. 
Before I say anything else I will click off and do more research.....!! Watch this space...

Hi Li,

welcome to the forum.

I think we all should only comment on things where we can give  correct advice. At least that is my bottom line. If I post my personal opinion I will tag it as such.

For foreigners the healthcare entitlement in Malta is either based on paying NI contributions or transferring them from another EU country. There is no free healthcare based on residency like in the UK. I'm not sure about the Irish system.

To receive the low unemployment benefit in Malta you have to have paid in at least 50 weekly contributions so that would not apply after working for 6 months.

So , bottom line, the Arriva contract is for 6 months and does not give any rights to any other benefits.

The healthcare system in Malta is good , especially if you pay private - there you are right.

Malta is not the UK !

Cheers
Ricky

Hi Guys
Sorry for delay, been over doing it on research and trying to decide what the hell to do. I had made my mind up not to accept the job (if offered), based on common sense logic and doing the math UNTIL Li1970 gave her advice which of course is Valid! I am in a position of NOTHING and have an opportunity of something albeit not great. BUT as Li1970 points out - a helping hand in the right direction.
As 'toon' points out also there is an opportunity of over time, which has been mentioned and is payable at 1.5 the normal rate. I would be willing to work the over time in order to get myself off the ground financially and so 'when needs must' I am afraid yes!!! very much so. I am used to working long hours and so that would not be a problem for me. Although it is arguable why you would have to work such hours to live, never mind exist.
I am not afraid to take the plunge, have done it before like Li1970 has done and also in France. I walked out of a job due to personality clash, walked into the french job centre, explained my case and was helped to get from zero to a job and some place to live. This was great until the recession bit in 2007/8, which didn't really affect me until 2009. It has progressively been down hill since then and I think it is now time to start climbing that hill once more, albeit in difficult times.
I will discuss the possibility of a longer stay and wage payment by cheque or cash as I am aware of the palarva in opening up a maltese account!! Always something!!
Thank you everyone who has contributed to this question and thank you redmik for your advice and guidance too.
I shall know tomorrow what the deal is and will keep you all updated!
thanks again.

Noel

Thank-you for the details.
 
I am not comparing anything to the UK at all.  I know little about their current system.

I am sure you have been very helpful to vodaphix and your comments are in line with what I have been told. 
The Irish system is also based on contributions and vodaphix is not contributing at the moment.

Cheers also.

Hi vodkaphix,

feel free to join our weekly Expat meetings in St. Julians or on the rocky beach in the summer if you change your mind.

We started today on Sunday at 2 pm but we normally meet on a Wednesday at 7 pm.

There was an article today in the MaltaTimes about fines for Arriva bus drivers .....looking at the condition of most buses you should make sure that you are not charged for damages to your bus or fines for who know's what !

Thanks for keeping us updated as you will help many others making a decision.

Cheers
Ricky

Hi
You see the attraction is the friendliness/advice and guidance of the people.Also SUNSHINE (not seen much of that in a while). But the wages are abysmal in reality and it's difficult to exist. That in My opinion is a political argument though, so lets not go there and spoil the fun!

I am 50/50 at the moment and do have some questions for Arriva before accepting (if offered) a position!

Will keep you posted.

You may call me Noel, it is my name after all!

Noel

ricky wrote:

There was an article today in the MaltaTimes about fines for Arriva bus drivers .....looking at the condition of most buses you should make sure that you are not charged for damages to your bus or fines for who know's what !

Cheers
Ricky

http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/vi … res.465532

Assuming that I inadvertently break all those rules at some time, that would be a further reduction of €160 from salary. Shall I just volunteer to drive and be done with it? haha!

Noel

Hi Noel,

negotiate with Arriva and feel free to ask any questions. We are well aware of the political background of the job quotes for Spanish an Irish drivers.

Be well aware that the job will not be extended too long as Maltese bus drivers are required to speak Maltese. There is an exception at the moment ss they don't have enough Maltese drivers.

The link is :

http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/vi … res.465532

It might cost you more than you earn -))

Cheers
Ricky

ricky wrote:

Hi Noel,

negotiate with Arriva and feel free to ask any questions. We are well aware of the political background of the job quotes for Spanish an Irish drivers.


It might cost you more than you earn -))

Cheers
Ricky

That article is unbelievable.. No wait, Unacceptable!! it is believable!!

fined for having (showing) tatoo's. (I don't have them but even so)

Sometimes a risk is worth taking - and could change your life.

better to be a caclulated risk though.

but dont expect too much if any help at all from the state here.
you can find cheap rooms, flat sharing, bedsits etc here try the ex pat malta pages on facebook too, lots on there.

Surviving is one thing living is another.

Also remember many maltese have two or three jobs and i cannot fault their work ethic at all.....but realy in this day and age should anyone have to?

Noel, IMHO, i would certainly go for it.. but thats me.

Pm has been sent to you and if you need anything then certainly follow up with me.

Jules

hi vodkaphix,
as you have nothing specific that keeps you in Ireland why not make the jump? If it fails you still can backpack through Europe

My suggestion: you come to Malta, work anything to make money for paying the monthly bills and national insurance (even if it's a 6 month contract with Arriva ) - and gain additional skills and qualifications in your leisure time resp. let recognize already available skills and qualifications - and register (free of charge) as part-time self-employer and make "additional money" ... like lots of people do so

There is a variety of courses offered (e.g. driver for people transport or goods) and you will get the necessary national certificates, diplomas etc. which enables you to apply for a job at private companies - or run your own business

It sounds simple, and in fact it's not very difficult (depending on your expectations ) - but it takes some time, like everything in Malta .
If you're open minded, you will find a lot of "opportunities" here in Malta, but you need to get rid of the old-fashioned idea of having only ONE (good-paid) job until you go into retirement

c u soon
Markus

Hi Guys
Thanks for the information and to those who have PM'd with additional info and guidance.

Still waiting for Job Offer!

And I am still 50/50!!

Noel

Job offer = sunshine

70/30 ??

J.

if you don't make the move, what sort of life will you have where you are ?

Hi Guys,

UPDATE: I have not been able to find the funds to tied me over for the first month in Malta.
I have not had 'the phone call' of job offer, but even if i did, I would not see the point in accepting it - when one considers the big picture.
So on this occasion, I will not be coming to Malta.
I will be heading back to UK in the next few days and see what materializes from there!?
I cannot stay in Ireland with no prospects of an income - welfare or salary!
I would like to thank everybody here that has contributed there help and advice. It has helped me to make the right decision for now which suits me. I am not really sure if it is the right or wrong decision generally.
God bless you all.

Noel.

Hi Noel

never say never mate........you have taken in a lot of information here and made the right decision for the time that is now. 

Who knows that in, say a year, things might change for you.  As has already been said........there is more to job life in Malta other than Arriva busses - Plenty of Summer work (although not greatly paid) could get you that 'insight' into other work that might be available later on.

My mate once said....I'd rather be skint in the sun rather than skint under the greyness of the UK.

Good luck with what you do........God Bless

Mike

Hi Noel,

thanks for you feedback. We appreciate it.

Keep Malta in your mind! It might still work out.

You will have our honest support to help you make your decision. I wish you all the best back in the UK.

Cheers
Ricky

Hi Guys
I was offered the job today and declined with my reasons
1. No credit facility in place to 'keep my head above water' for first month.
2. Issues with opening Maltese bank account.
3.Issues with Arriva's punitive system as stated in Maltese local press. (link above).
4. Issues with Accommodation cost and how bills (electric/water) are billed and charged.

My reasons were understandable and I was left with an open offer, should I change my mind.
My situation, finances and luck would need to change, not to mention some of the above in order for me to change my mind.
In light of ALL this, I shall be returning to U.K. on 22nd April 2013 from Ireland. I will try my luck there!
Be safe and keep smiling.
Kind regards
Noel

Hi Noel,

thanks for the update.

It is quite surprising that Arriva could not address the first 3 points in a quick and sensible way.

For me it shows that they have not intension of changing their ways of overcharging EU non-residents (similar issue as with bank accounts).

They didn't want to offer a credit facility for 1 month to get a good bus driver (That shows their appreciation of employees).

They truly want to go through with the punitive charges for drivers who are already on low wages (how about offering performance bonuses for good work?)

Arriva Malta is truly doomed .....maybe not financially as the ripped off foreigners don't have much choice and probably keep the company afloat.

Cheers
Ricky

ricky wrote:

Hi Noel,

thanks for the update.

It is quite surprising that Arriva could not address the first 3 points in a quick and sensible way.

For me it shows that they have not intension of changing their ways of overcharging EU non-residents (similar issue as with bank accounts).

They didn't want to offer a credit facility for 1 month to get a good bus driver (That shows their appreciation of employees).

They truly want to go through with the punitive charges for drivers who are already on low wages (how about offering performance bonuses for good work?)

Arriva Malta is truly doomed .....maybe not financially as the ripped off foreigners don't have much choice and probably keep the company afloat.

Cheers
Ricky

but will they keep coming......?