Celebrations marking the 50th anniversary of the enactment of the National Insurance Act and the National Assistance Act began yesterday.

Dolores Cristina, Family and Social Solidarity Minister, launched an exhibition to initiate the programme set out for the month of May.

Minister Cristina said, “Maltese and Gozitan society is one built on the concept of solidarity and social inclusion, values we are very proud of. Difficulties can be encountered by anybody, in any walk of life, and it is the Department of Social Security that must meet individuals’ needs.

“On behalf of past and present governments and all the Maltese and Gozitan people, I thank all those who have contributed towards the effective and positive service that the Department of Social Security has given to persons throughout these 50 years.”

Joseph Camilleri, director of Social Security, said that “while we are celebrating the 50th anniversary since the inception of social legislation in our country, we should all look back at these 50 years during which the Maltese welfare state developed and treat this event as an opportunity to learn from our country”s social security history.”

Also present at the opening were Joe Ebejer, permanent secretary at the Family and Social Solidarity Ministry, and Frederick Amato Gauci, the then director of what was known as the Department of Emigration, Labour and Social Welfare.

The exhibition is open to the public throughout the month of May. It is being held in the courtyard of the Ministry for the Family and Social Solidarity, Palazzo Ferreria, Republic Street, Valletta.

When visiting the exhibition, one can view banners detailing the newspaper headlines that appeared back in 1956. Various objects related to the field of social security, such as ledger books and stamps, are also on show as well as information regarding the history of social security. Legislation, known as the National Insurance Act, was brought into force on 7 May 1956 and provided cash benefits in cases of marriage, sickness, orphanhood, old age, widowhood, unemployment and industrial injury. The National Assistance Act which came into force in early June 1956 provided for benefits in cash or in kind in respect of social and medical assistance.

A departmental newsletter entitled DSS Link, aimed at staff members of the Department of Social Security, was also launched yesterday. The newsletter will be issued on a quarterly basis.

Other activities planned this month include a one-day business seminar for top management of the Department of Social Security on 25 May at the Westin Dragonara Hotel, St, Julian’s.

The programme will come to an end with a 50th anniversary celebratory concert at the Mdina Cathedral under the patronage of Minister Cristina, in collaboration with the Mdina Cathedral Metropolitan Chapter.

The concert sees the participation of John Aquilina (organ), Michael Pulis (tromba) and Jacqueline Micallef Grimaud (soprano). It is open to the public and details will be announced at a future date.

A special postage prepaid envelope will be used by the Department of Social Security during the month of May and all staff of the Department will receive a special memento of this occasion.