Malta Employers calls for postponement of final vote on Human Rights and Equality Bill

The Malta Employers' Association (MEA) has called for the postponement of Parliament's final discussion and vote on the proposed National Commission for Human Rights and Equality Bill, arguing that the legislation is being rushed through without sufficient consultation.

In a statement issued on Wednesday (today), the association said it had written to both Prime Minister Robert Abela and Opposition Leader Alex Borg requesting that the final parliamentary stages of the Bill be delayed.

The MEA said it supports legislation that safeguards human rights and promotes equality and non-discrimination, but expressed "serious concerns" about the details of the proposed law, which it said is being fast-tracked before Parliament rises for the summer recess.

According to the association, the Bill should not proceed without adequate consultation with the social partners within the Malta Council for Economic and Social Development (MCESD). It argued that broader consultation would lead to stronger legislation, with the necessary safeguards and checks expected of a law of this nature.

The MEA described the proposed legislation as a Bill of "major importance", saying it affects the fundamental rights of both employees and employers while also encompassing constitutional principles.

What is the Equality bill?

The Bill proposes the establishment of a new National Commission for Human Rights and Equality, replacing the existing National Commission for the Promotion of Equality (NCPE). The new body would have a broader remit, investigating both human rights violations and discrimination, while promoting equality across the public and private sectors.

Under the proposed law, the commission would receive complaints, conduct investigations, issue recommendations and monitor their implementation. It would also be empowered to launch investigations on its own initiative where there is reasonable suspicion of a human rights violation, with its remit covering areas including employment, education, access to goods and services, and advertising.

Last week, employment lawyer Andrew Borg Cardona questioned the need for the Bill in an interview with MaltaCEOs.mt, arguing that Malta's existing laws already provide robust protection against discrimination.

“Frankly, I see no real point in the law, as protection against discrimination is already very well provided for under existing legislation and the cost of setting up another authority would have been much better applied towards proper training and education of the existing players,” Dr Borg Cardona said.

The Insurance Association Malta also issued a statement today, saying that it is concerned that the latest Bill establishing the National Commission for Human Rights and Equality has been fast-tracked without renewed consultation with the insurance sector.