| When Malta voted to join the European Union, it | | | | EU member countries as tourists, they also got the |
| became the smallest member by a 53 percent favor | | | | opportunity to study, work, and train and for the |
| against a 45 percent. The result was closer than | | | | purposes of retirement and simple residence. All |
| what Brussels or the Malta government had | | | | these opportunities are the Malta citizens' rights and |
| expected. This narrow difference on opinion was a | | | | the previous requirements for work permits and |
| source of great debate as the Labor party, which | | | | restrictions were abolished. Apart from the 15 |
| forms the opposition, argued that there was a lack | | | | European Union countries, these opportunities also |
| of credibility since the majority votes were required | | | | apply to countries like Norway, Switzerland, Iceland |
| to be absolute in favor. Most union groups and | | | | and Liechtenstein, which are new members of the EU |
| businesses backed the government of Malta as the | | | | as well as another 30 countries. |
| campaign raged on. There was concern though, that | | | | Compared to other countries that are candidates, |
| this membership would be a threat to Malta's | | | | Malta received dissimilar treatment because seven |
| independence, additionally the residents of Malta were | | | | years transitional period was imposed by the EU |
| worried that they would be exposed to unwanted | | | | during which their rights could be restricted. The |
| immigrants. Additionally, the country also thought | | | | same applied to European Union citizens seeking to |
| they would be submitting economically to larger | | | | get jobs in Malta. For seven years since membership, |
| states. | | | | Malta gained the ability to safeguard against EU |
| Since Malta became a member of the European | | | | nationals' right to work there. After accession, it |
| Union, there have been negotiations between the | | | | retained the system of work permits and henceforth |
| government of Malta and the European Union | | | | granted them to European Union workers. In case |
| legislation. Movement of people through the European | | | | Malta's labor market is threatened with disruption, it |
| Union member countries is free and this is a visual | | | | can withhold work permits because this is a matter |
| and more so basic significance of uniting the EU. Not | | | | of exceptional nature and urgency. |
| only did Maltese citizens acquire free movement to | | | | |