19 organisations were newly certified with the NCPE Equality Mark award by the National Commission for the Promotion of Equality (NCPE), whilst 37 organisations were re-certified for their commitment towards equality practices and policies in the workplace.
During the NCPE’s Annual Conference of 2022, NCPE Commissioner Renee Laiviera explained the Commission’s work to enhance equality in Maltese society, especially in the workplace.
She said that the awarding of the of the equality mark showed commitment towards equality, particularly in the decrease of discrimination in the workplace and work towards both men and women having equal opportunities to advance in their career.
Laiviera said that the NCPE’s process follows a procedure on investigating cases of alleged discrimination, outlining examples of cases concluded in 2021 on alleged discrimination on the basis of sex.
In 2021, 24 total complaints were lodged to the Commission, 13 of which were complaints on the basis of sex. 10 of these complaints were women, while only three were men. These were revealed in an investigations statistics of 2021.
One complaint was made by a woman to the commission on sexual harassment. Five complaints were made on the basis of race and ethnic origin.
The NCPE has also done work in relation to the promotion of equality, the dissemination of of information on rights and responsibilities related to equal training, awareness-raising campaigns, using social media and replying to requests for information, Laiviera said.
Parliamentary Secretary for Reforms and Equality Rebecca Buttigieg addressed the event, saying that the government is committed to strengthen legislations on equality. She said that the equality bill is on the top of the government’s agenda, which will include consultations with all interested parties on proposed legislations.
Buttigieg said that equal treatment will be given more importance so that policies and law will respond more effectively to the needs of different groups in society.
Minister for Home Affairs, Security, Reforms and Equality Byron Camilleri said that various measures have been taken to enhance equality in society. He mentioned the free childcare scheme, the Maternity Leave Trust, the first-ever National Anti-Racism Strategy as well as legal amendments and measures to strengthen equal rights for the LGBTIQ+ community.
He said that the remote working policy has offered full flexibility to public service employees and efforts are being made to keep decreasing the gender pay-gap.
Among notable organisations given the NCPE Equality Mark for the first time were the Malta Police Force, the Malta Business Registry and the Malta Financial Services Authority.
There was a mix of both government and public entities who were given the certification. Notable organisations who were recertified as a confirmation of their commitment to equality were the Office of the Superintendence of Public Health, the Foundation for Social Welfare Services and Pharmacy Of Your Choice.
The conference also addressed the topic of intersectional discrimination, which was spoken about by Professor JosAnn Cutajar from the Faculty for Social Wellbeing Gender and Sexualities at the University of Malta.