The message from the decision taken by a minister in the cabinet of 'the most feminist government' basically means that inappropriate behaviour and harassment can go unpunished..... even if it is conducted by the very persons our society is paying to ensure that ethics and standards of behaviour prevail, Labour MP Marlene Farrugia writes.

She was reacting to the story carried in The Malta Independent on Thursday, in which Education Minister Evarist Bartolo said that no action will be taken against Employment and Training Corporation chief executive officer Philip Rizzo following a lewd comment he wrote on Facebook underneath a photo posted by a female colleague.

The only decision taken was for management personnel in his ministry being ordered to remove their Facebook pages.

The furore came about after Head of the EU Funded Schemes Division at the ETC, Olivia Farrugia, posted a photo of herself on Facebook wearing a one-piece swimsuit, sunglasses and a cap. Philip Rizzo chose to comment on her post and said – “This is the only ETC Head of Division with the three Bs… Brains, Boobs and Balls!!!!... she’s a very capable lady.”

In response, she said “Of course boss, I’m the only HoDwith the 2nd B. Im the only woman Head of Department…”

Writing on Facebook, Marlene Farrugia said that worse than that, another message that was passed by the minister’s decision is that it is business as usual whatever happens, as long as transgressions stay out of the public eye ... because by removing Facebook one changes nothing except visibility...

“Another message: no action taken in a harassment case which is blatant and in the public domain...” she wrote.

This is “not very encouraging for the many harassed individuals, mostly women, who are trying to pluck up the courage to seek justice, is it?”

“Banning fbook is not enough Onor Education Minister.

“Replace CEO. 

“Put a responsible person who can behave and give a good example,” is what the MP is suggesting.

“Just when I think this government has sunk low enough.... it manages to sink that little bit deeper,” she writes.