‘Irresponsible’ – professional associations criticise Minister’s defence of hiring wife as consultant

In a scathing statement, the Malta Federation of Professional Associations (MFPA) called out Minister Clayton Bartolo’s justification for hiring his then-girlfriend (and current wife) Amanda Muscat as a consultant, saying his comments were “irresponsible.”

Ms Muscat was employed as a policy consultant with a €62,000 salary in her husband’s ministry, from her original role as his secretary. Later, she was transferred to Minister Clint Camilleri’s ministry for a higher salary of €68,000.

This was revealed in a report published by Standards Commissioner Joseph Azzopardi, who also found that she did not have the necessary qualifications or experience within the tourism industry.

In its statement, MFPA said that while it normally disassociates itself from partisan disputes, it reiterated that professionalism is not “merely a title but a commitment to ethical standards, social responsibility and fitness for purpose.”

It commented that in harmony with the principles of professionalism, MFPA is advocating for a meritocratic framework where policy advisors and consultants to decision-makers meet the necessary academic qualifications and experience and adhere to high ethical standards.

“Education forms the foundational building blocks of all professions. MFPA has consistently expressed serious concerns regarding declining educational standards, as evidenced through MATSEC examination results, and questionable hiring practices which ignore lack of suitable qualifications including, not least, political appointments of persons of trust as consultants to Ministers,” it added.

In this regard, MFPA distanced itself from public comments by high members of Government, “which discount the necessity of qualifications, experience and ethical standards for consultancy positions in public service.”

It emphasised that such irresponsible claims undermine and discredit the need for students to pursue academic education to attain qualifications in the form of diplomas and degrees, and for professionals in all areas of practice to strive to enhance their practice through continuing professional development during their service to society.

Such declarations, MFPA said, continue to encourage the decline of education standards and lack of professionalism and accountability in Malta.

“We already have several professions which are plagued with trumped-up positions filled by lesser-qualified people attempting to do the work of qualified and warranted professionals. Masking deficiencies in qualifications, experience and accountability of individuals in any position, especially those in high-ranking ones, as well as the proliferation of dubious designations, undermine the integrity of our professions and tarnish the social fabric,” the associations remarked.

Finally, MFPA said that professionals are a vital component of civil society, and it urged and encouraged youth and students to pursue careers defined by diligence and genuine passion.

During these weeks when thousands of students are celebrating their graduation after years of studies and patience, the MFPA said it is important to praise their resilience “rather than send a message that all their sacrifices were frivolous.”

“Together, let us cultivate a society grounded in true meritocracy and democratic values,” the MFPA concluded.

The statement was endorsed by various associations including the Chamber of Engineers (CoE), Kamra tal-Periti (KTP), the Malta Chamber of Psychologists (MCP), the Medical Association of Malta (MAM), the Association of Podiatrists (APM), the Association of Speech-Language Pathologists (ASLP), the Dental Association of Malta (DAM), the Malta Association for the Counselling Profession (MACP), the Malta Association of Occupational Therapists (MAOT), the Malta Association of Physiotherapists (MAP) the Malta Association of Professional Conservators and Restorers (MAPCo-Re), the Malta Chamber of Pharmacists (MCOP), the Malta Veterinary Association (MVA), the Society of Medical Radiographers (SRM), the Maltese Association of Social Workers (MASW), and the Maltese Association of Youth Workers (MAY)