Malta could possibly be reported to the European Commission due to the misinterpretation of an EU directive on part-time employment under which part-timers in Malta are employed for less than 20 hours a week and lose out on benefits as a result.

Astrid Lulling, member of the European Parliament Committee on Women’s Rights and Gender Equality, who formed part of a delegation that came for a two-day visit to Malta, told a news conference yesterday that people who are working part time, regardless of whether they are employed for 20 hours or less, should still receive benefits.

It is a point trade unions in Malta have been making repeatedly.

“The EU directive on part-time employment was misinterpreted in Malta – people working less than 20 hours a week should still receive employment benefits,” Ms Lulling said.

However, she added, there were still employers who purposely employed people, especially women, for 19 hours a week and deprived them of the benefits they should have.

Committee chairperson Anna Zaborska added that, at a meeting held with Social Solidarity and Family Minister Dolores Cristina earlier, the minister agreed that this measure was unfair for part-time workers.

“The minister promised us that the government will try to alter the interpretation of this EU legislation,” said Ms Zaborska.

When asked for her opinion on abortion with regard to Malta, Ms Zaborska pointed out that each country had the option to choose its own legislation on the issue.

“We respect what each country wants to do regarding abortion,” she said.

However, committee member Christa Prets said she was surprised that divorce was not an option in Malta.

“The only option available for the Maltese is separation. However, this does not give couples the opportunity to have a second chance and get married again,” she said.

“I do not believe it is correct as this should be a decision that should be open to the people,” she added.

Ms Zaborska pointed out that the existing legislation on gender equality was adequate for men and women at present.

“We had several meetings with NGOs and government representatives,” said Ms Zaborska. “During these meetings, we emphasised the importance of sensitising society – especially women – to report discrimination and abuse of rights.”

Furthermore, she added, there was a trend in which in the south-of-Europe situations (regarding discrimination) were perceived to be normal. However, this should not be the case, she said.

Ms Prets added that locally, there was the need for more frameworks for women to start participating in the labour market. “It was a big surprise to find out that women are granted parental leave without pay in Malta – it is very risky,” she said.

Ms Prets called for more childcare facilities and said that women should become more independent.

“Women do not have to choose between work and family – they can and should have both. Why should educated and employed women have to give up everything they worked so hard for?” she asked.

Although it was a challenge, women should be encouraged to demand what they wanted, she added. This could only succeed if there was a cultural change.

Ms Lulling said Malta was still very far from reaching the goals set in the Lisbon Agenda to have 30 per cent of women in the workforce.

“While legislation in favour of gender equality is important, the interpretation and the implementation of these laws in society is equally important,” she said.

The delegation had the meeting with Ms Cristina in the morning.

Representatives from the National Commission for the Promotion of Equality (NCPE), the Department of Social Security, the Commission on Domestic Violence, and the Organisation for the Integration and Welfare of Asylum Seekers were also present.

During the visit, the situation of women in Malta and around the European Union was discussed and the transposition of EU legislation pertinent to the issue in Malta and its implementation in daily life was enquired into.

During the meeting, Mrs Cristina expressed her satisfaction that all the meetings with the delegation had led to open discussions.

She pointed out that a considerable number of laws were passed that in one way or another addressed the issue of gender equality.

However, said Ms Cristina, implementation was more important, together with the necessary culture change.

The committee pointed out that with regard to domestic violence, the background was the same all over the world and was found in all strata of society.

Mrs Cristina told the delegation that the legislation for domestic violence was still relatively new and that structures still needed to be created to better meet this challenge.

Ms Zaborska said the targets set in the Lisbon Strategy for 2010 for all of Europe were unrealistic and were highly difficult for the majority of member states to reach.

Ms Cristina agreed but added that the Maltese government was working on addressing the issue of female unemployment.

The minister and the delegation also discussed the issue of women immigrants.

Ms Cristina explained that a new unit had recently been set up – the Organisation for the Integration and Welfare of Asylum Seekers. The organisation is responsible for looking after vulnerable groups, in particular women and children, pregnant women and unaccompanied minors.

Ms Cristina explained that the government was in fact doing more than what was required by the minimum standards.

“Integration of these persons is not easy, particularly for those who consider Malta to be a country of transit,” she said.

However, people with refugee status and children were possibly more likely to stay on and would probably be more successful at integrating, she added.