Culture Minister Owen Bonnici did not say whether the government's proposal to introduce cultural leave for public workers who volunteer in festa and carnival activities discriminates against other kinds of volunteers - such as those within the sports sector, but did say that they must weigh the impact of such decisions on other hobbies

When asked whether he thinks granting "cultural leave" to people who volunteer in village festa and carnival activities could be discriminatory to other kinds of volunteers, Minister Bonnici said that the government is weighing this decision on the potential outcomes, including how this measure would impact other hobbies and groups.

"We must weigh the impact of these decisions on other hobbies and traditions in our country," he said.

Minister Bonnici said that the government already offers cultural leave to public service workers should they represent Malta abroad for cultural reasons. He clarified that this proposal is to extend this cultural leave to festa and carnival volunteers, and that this is being discussed to only apply to government workers.

"It's not just about cultural leave for the public service and the possibility of extending this, but also on the impact it leaves on other hobbies and groups," Minister Bonnici said, "It is a decision we must take. We are in government to decide, and we must factor all these things."

The Culture Minister told this newsroom that this measure, if given the go-ahead, will "build on what already exists."

"We are open to the possibility that cultural leave - which already exists for public service workers who represent Malta abroad for cultural reasons - for government workers as well, is extended. This is an active possibility we are working on," Minister Bonnici said.

He noted that last December, he was presented with facts and data from a study he had commissioned to entertain the feasibility of this measure.

Minister Bonnici added that village feasts are now considered as intangible cultural heritage by UNESCO and that this decision to extend cultural leave would be just one of many measures being undertaken in the government's "continuous work" to promote this sector. Among measures he named to bolster this cultural sector is the buying out of band clubs at risk and all the funds government has distributed to band clubs across Malta and Gozo.

The public discussion to grant special leave to festa and carnival volunteers commenced earlier this week when, on Tuesday, when PL MEP Daniel Attard said he wants the European Union to legislate for the possibility of extra leave days for cultural volunteers.