Capacity Building ESF Project

“Capacity Building for Equipping and Representing Micro Business Employers”

ESF 2007-2013 project (code 4.86)

Download Final report

During the period 2009-2012 MEA embarked on a specific ESF programme “Capacity Building for Equipping and Representing Micro Business Employers”, focusing on microbusinesses. With the aid of the ESF funds, MEA carried out a three year awareness campaign, including an outreach exercise amongst 750 entrepreneurs, published a 67 page information booklet with a total distribution of 6000 copies, and also organised 22 training seminars with the participation of 235 entrepreneurs.

Details:

A Three year awareness campaign which included the:

Information booklet

Publication, printing and distribution of a 67 page information booklet.

6000 copies distributed amongst SMEs and Micro Enterprises.
An on-line HR manual which is accessible to MEA members.

Basically the Booklet includes:

• 32 pages -The Human Resource Handbook- FAQs about employing people
• 3 pages including info about a sample contract of employment
• 2 pages on Occupational health and safety
• 3 pages demonstrating Samples of engagement and termination forms
• 2 pages on Policies and procedures
• 8 pages on Opportunities for SMEs
• And 2 pages with useful contact details

Training Seminars

22 training seminars with the participation of 235 micro business entrepreneurs.

Over a period of two years (Sept. 2010 – Sept. 2012)
The seminars were:

• 2 on finance legislation management
• 2 on human resources management
• 3 on energy/water/ waste serving
• 4 on EU occupational, health and safety legislation
• 3 on EU legislation for Micros
• 2 on EU and local tax legislation
• 1 seminar on Employment of third country nationals
• 3 on marketing policies
• And 2 on EU rights and obligations

Outreach Exercise

Long hours dedicated for Outreach activities amongst 750 SMEs, operating in various sectors including:

• Manufacture
• Finance
• ICT
• Wholesale and retail
• Bars and restaurants
• Construction
• Other services

During the outreach visits, MEA obtained key data on the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats (SWOT) of the Micro Business Sector in Malta.

During the publicity campaign, a leaflet and a calendar were also published and distributed amongst thousands micro-businesses.

download printed version

download online updated version (username and password are needed)

During the intensive campaign, as part of the ESF Programme, MEA managed to publish, print and distribute a 67-page information booklet.

6000 copies were distributed amongst SMEs and Micro Enterprises.

An on-line HR manual, is continuously being updated and is exclusively accessible only to MEA members.

Basically the original Booklet included:

• 32 pages -The Human Resource Handbook – FAQs about employing people
• 3 pages including info about a sample contract of employment
• 2 pages on Occupational health and safety
• 3 pages demonstrating Samples of engagement and termination forms
• 2 pages on Policies and procedures
• 8 pages on Opportunities for SMEs
• and 2 pages with useful contact details

As we go along, with all the updates and additional information, the information booklet is becoming more and more informative…… a useful tool in the hands of local employers / entrepreneurs.

To keep regular contact with our members, and as part of the ongoing initiative to improve the business environment, MEA publishes and circulates more hundreds of electronic publications.

Amongst, MEA produces general UPDATES (which are sent every forthnight ) EU File publications, regular SME Helpdesk publications written in Maltese language, Industrial tribunal publications, and others.

The Association also has an on-line Human Resource handbook for employers which is password protected and consists of numerous chapters with frequently asked questions about different aspects of employment relationships, e.g. contracts of employment; maternity leave regulations; organisation of working time etc. This handbook is updated regularly.

UPDATE

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EU File

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SME Helpdesk

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Industrial Tribunal Update

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For a comprehensive list of all our TV Programmes visit our

Youtube channel

TV Programme Promotional video

Malta Employers’ Association’s main concept of this ongoing initiative, is “Strengthening the Business Environment through Active Social Dialogue”, and one of the activities which MEA organised to promote active social dialogue is the production of a series of TV programmes on Malta’s National TV stations. This has included a series of 25 minute programmes, broadcasted every week for a period of three years. It’s estimated that, MEA, so far, already contributed with over than 3380 minutes of business knowledge, entrepreneurship guidance, and business support through these TV programmes. With the participation of more than 260 business experts and distinguished personalities from all walks of life, MEA is managing to deliver interesting information in an impartial manner, which definitely serves as a source of inspiration to new entrepreneurs.

2012 – A series of 39 TV programmes named “10 minutes” aired on the National TV Station TVM/TVM.
Almost all programmes were broadcasted again on same stations during the summer period.
(A total of approx. 780 minutes of airtime)

2013-2015 – 4 seasons of 13 TV programmes each (total 52 programmes).
Almost all programmes were aired again on same stations during the summer period.
(A total of approx. 2600 minutes of airtime).
These programmes included the participation of more than 260 programme guests / experts.
25 minute TV programme productions on various subjects.

– established on December 2013

Visit the official page on SME Helpdesk

In 2013, as a follow up of the MEA / ESF project, and while keeping the THINK SMALL FIRST principle in mind, MEA established its own SME Helpdesk, to be able to handle the SME business needs with a more professional approach. Through this helpdesk, during these last two years, MEA worked even harder to be able to tackle issues which are normally associated with the SME’s sector. Amongst MEA’s contribution, one can mention the direct involvement of MEA in the bureaucracy consultation process, the submission of sound proposals during the consultation process regarding the proposed Malta Family Business Act, the current local issue regarding shop opening hours, and the initiative to organise Malta’s first small business clinic workshop.

The Helpdesk, together with MEA’s central administration, besides providing a 24/7 telephone helpline, and a  Facebook page for entrepreneurs  who need help, have so far already managed to organise a number of  events at National level, including  –

• A Business breakfast with the topic: ‘SMEs from the employers point of view’

and

• Small Business clinic workshop.

(part of “EU Access to finance day- Malta National Conference” – 2014)

The Helpdesk has been set up to focus exclusively on the needs of SMEs and Micro businesses, which in many respects, are different from those of larger organisations.

The Helpdesk, besides giving advice on employment related matters and compliance with employment legislation and other regulatory bodies, , also offers handholding services, when entrepreneurs apply to benefit from any existing grant / assistance schemes.

In a nut shell the MEA’s SME Helpdesk, is another tool in the hands of small business entrepreneurs, which can be used to empower their capacity to achieve success in their business.

At the moment we are compiling an electronic data base of thousands of SMEs, with whom we are communicating via electronic publications, written in Maltese language.

The MEA, throughout the implementation of this ongoing initiative to support the local enterprise, always made sure to act on behalf of its members in a proactive manner.

On these lines MEA already took a stand, contributed and published more than 22 position documents, on various ‘hot’ topical business issues, the most recent being the paper on the State of Industrial Relations and Social Dialogue in Malta.

Latest

MEA’s Position Paper on The State of Social Dialogue & Industrial Relations in Malta, March 2015 download

Most viewed

MEA’s Position Paper on Governments’ Measures to Increase Employment of Disabled Persons, January 2015 download

Proposed Amendments to the Employment and Industrial Relations Act, 2002 download

MEA Position Paper on Illegal and Atypical Employment Practices, July 2013 download

Strength in Unity – A Memorandum to Political Parties, October 2012 download

Position Paper on the Proposal for the setting up of a National Living Wage, November 2010 download

Visit the Archive section.

In order to improve its services to members and non-members of the Association, MEA took a decision to expand its premises, and worked on an ambitious infrastructural project to establish a new training centre.

A training centre fully equipped with all the necessary facilities.

Currently is still being enhanced with major structural alterations, so to make it 100% accessible for persons with disabilities.

view some photos

Government high officials and other National constituted bodies give credit to MEA, for being proactive in supporting businesses. Confirming this, are a number of testimonials.

download testimonial by GWU

download testimonial by UHM

download testimonial by PBS

download testimonial by IOE

download testimonial by Commissioner for Simplification & Reduction of Bureaucracy, Office of the Prime Minister

download testimonial by Minister of the Economy, Investment & Small Business

As part of the ongoing project “Strengthening the Business Environment through Active Social Dialogue”, during the period between (2009-2015) MEA has already successfully organised :

45 courses on Employment Law, HR, and Fiscal Regulations.

It is estimated that, so far , more than 1000 persons in senior managerial positions has successfully attended these courses, and 25 info sessions on various subjects, including: maternity leave, blacklisting regulations, EIRA proposed amendments, and others.

Latest

Employment Law Course brochure

Employment: Fiscal & Practical Considerations Course brochure

Workshop Session: SME Business Clinic, 24 October 2014 brochure

Information Session: The Relevance of Human Resources Management for SMEs, 22 October 2014 brochure

Family Business Governance & Succession Planning Course brochure

Business Breakfast: SMEs from the Employers’ point of view, 6 December 2013 brochure

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Malta’s Nominee – European Enterprise Promotion Awards

Category: Improving the Business Environment

MEA – Strengthening the Business Environment through Active Social Dialogue