With reference to the report entitled Malta “misinterpreted” EU legislation on part-time employment (TMID, 9 May), the Family and Social Solidarity Ministry would like to clarify the following.

The closed discussion that ensued between the MEP delegation and ministry officials, including representatives from the National Commission for the Promotion of Equality, the Department of Social Security, the Commission on Domestic Violence, and the Organisation for the Integration and Welfare of Asylum Seekers, was in fact a very fruitful one, with candid opinions expressed across the table on both sides.

The issue of part-time work was raised, but at no point did Minister Cristina state that Malta was misinterpreting the implementation of the EU Directive on part-time work as reported in your paper.

Your paper also reports that part-timers employed for less than 20 hours a week lose out on social security benefits. This issue was raised by the MEP head of delegation during the discussion at the ministry. However, the Maltese delegation clarified that according to the Social Security Act, an employed person working more than eight hours a week is considered employed and therefore, social security contributions are due. Once contributions are paid, then benefit entitlements may accrue if the person satisfies the various statutory conditions to entitlement.

The ministry welcomes such official visits which enable MEP delegations to learn first hand the reality of the Maltese situation and afford us the opportunity to learn much from our European counterparts.

Marija Schranz

Communications Coordinator

Family and Social Solidarity Ministry

Editorial note: The report mentioned quotes Astrid Lulling, member of the European Parliament Committee on Women’s Rights and Gender Equality as saying “The EU directive on part-time employment was misinterpreted in Malta”.