2020 was a different year for all of us. It was hard, unexpected, and incredibly stressful for everyone. So many people have lost their loved ones and we’ve all been living in fear of the worst for far too long. I’m hopeful that 2021 will be better, not only because we’ll finally be able to hug each other once again, but also because of the lessons we learnt from 2020 which, hopefully, will serve us for the future.
1. Power to employees and employers
Many businesses have suffered in the pandemic and as a consequence jobs have been lost and will probably continue to be lost. We need to be proactive and come up with a plan to ensure that businesses are fully supported. This is the only way we can protect jobs, especially when the wage supplement is stopped. Employers need to be equipped with the legal knowledge to fully comply with employment legislation. We also need to look at industries that performed well and see what skills are required in the work force to shift individuals to other jobs.
2. Technology is our friend
Digital advances have long been occuring, and whilst keeping up with their pace can be a struggle, it is also a must! Modern technoloigies not only change the way we work, but also the way we live and deal with social problems. Let’s take the bull by the horns and use what we learnt during this pandamic to maintain tele-working (where feasible) to permanantly change the way we work in the future. Let’s make sure our organizations and wrokplaces are agile, flexible and resilient for this.
3. A change in our work-life balance is a must
Malta has committed to transpose two EU directives into Maltese law by 2022, but my wish is that we get them done by 2021 to start reeling in their benefits as soon as possible.
The directives are: The EU Work-Life Balance Directive which aims to improve families’ access to family leave and flexible work arrangements, and The Transparent and Predictable Working Conditions Directive which aims at setting new rights for all workers, particulary addressing insufficient protection for workers in more precarious jobs.
4. Let’s speed it up
Over the years we’ve made some significant gains in terms of gender equality but progress is slow and so much more needs to be done. Discrimination and social norms remain pervasive and women continue to be underrepresented at all levels of political leadership and decision-making positions. If we are to offer our children, the next generation, a better world, this needs to be addressed with urgency and action needs to be taken so that women stop playing such a disproportionate role in areas that matter the most.
5. Zero Tolerance
Domestic and work violence are already illegal but more needs to be done to enforce the law and raise awareness with the general public. We need to instil in our children that absolutely no form of violence, be it physical, emotional or mental is acceptable. This includes bullying in all its forms. Because it is as grave and because it is so consequential, we should kick start a discussion on making bullying illegal as well.
6. The world is ours to share
For too long a time we, as humans, have taken advantage of our dominant position on earth. We have long abused our environment and other creatures that share the earth with us. 2020 was a wake-up call. The pandemic, but also other pressing environmental issues are a direct result of our indifference, our sense of superiority over everything else on earth. With the appointment of the new Commissioner for Animal Welfare – Alison Bezzina, an improvement in this area is bound to happen, but animals and the environment depend on each and every one of us to do our bit. So, let’s do it.
7. Covid-19 and beyond
And last but not least I wish good health to everyone. If there’s anything that 2020 has taught us is that our health, including mental health, is what matters most and I hope that we will get past Covid-19 sooner rather than later. However, health is not just about Covid-19. My heart goes out to all HIV patients who have had to endure a shortage of medication. Please take care of your health, no matter your age or condition. And remember stress and health go hand in hand, so keep them both in check.
Dr Roselyn Borg Knight is an employment lawyer and the International Secretary of the Partit Nazzjonalista